By FERDIE J. MAGLALANG
Malacañang yesterday expressed readiness to keep its tradition of declaring a unilateral ceasefire with the National Democratic Front (NDF) during the Christmas season pending the final recommendations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said it is most likely that the government will declare a temporary ceasefire or cessation of hostilities in keeping with its tradition during the Christmas season.
"In all probability, (although) I wouldn’t want to guess but if we go by tradition, there could be (a Christmas truce), but as to how long and when, that would depend on the recommendations by the Armed Forces," he said.
He added that the unilateral declaration of a Christmas truce with the communist insurgent group would all depend on the final recommendations as to when and how long it will be observed by both the government troops and the rebel group.
Ermita, who once served as head of the government peace panel, said while they are awaiting for the final recommendation by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the government troops will keep normal peace and order situation this Christmas season.
"Even if there is a ceasefire, our troops are always ready to prevent any untoward incident," he added, stressing that the military troops in the field are now seriously studing their position on the matter in spite of the heightened attacks by the rebels.
According to him, the traditional Christmas truce or ceasefire is being used by the communist insurgents to recoup the strength of their forces and eventually resume their attacks on government troops and facilities as well as some civilians.
Earlier, Ermita said the government has indefinitely revoked the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) it has forged with the NDF, the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.
The JASIG, entered into between the government and the NDF, guarantees the "free and unobstructed" movement of 97 members of the communist rebel’s peace panel, which also includes, among others, Jose Ma. Sison, founder of the communist movement.
The Arroyo administration has suspended indefinitely its peace talks with the NDF and recalled the safe conduct pass and immunity from arrest guarantees it has granted to an estimated 97 members of the communist rebel group’s peace panel.
