AFP will not recommend holiday truce with communists

December 3, 2020

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not recommend a declaration of a holiday truce with the communists.

"The AFP, wishing and longing for a peaceful Yuletide Season for the Filipino people notwithstanding, will not recommend to the Commander-in-Chief a holiday ceasefire with the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG)," said Maj. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, in a statement Thursday.

"Many times in the past, the CTG has shown its incapacity for sincerity and for being unfaithful to a covenant," he said.

"This was the AFP’s painful experience where the CTG reneged from their own ceasefire declaration by attacking and killing soldiers on humanitarian and peace and development missions," he added.

Arevalo noted that "during the incumbency of a truce, these terrorists continued their extortion activities and committed crimes of murder, arson, and the like."

"They venture on peace talks only to give themselves the chance to regroup, refurbish, recruit new members, and recoup their losses," he said.

"Luis Jalandoni, a NDF negotiator, boldly declared that they push for peace negotiations not really to bring about tranquility, but to pursue armed struggle. They broker peace covenants as a means to an end which is to overthrow government," Arevalo noted

"And with these many hard lessons of the past, we will not allow them to trample upon our people’s bona fide desire for peace, not this holiday season, not until we have decisively defeated this menace to society," he added.

Arevalo emphasized that the AFP will support the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte on the matter.

"Amidst this strong position, AFP Chief General Gilbert Gapay assures the President of the AFP’s support to whatever  decision the Commander-in-Chief makes in his exercise of his prerogatives," he said. Robina Asido/DMS