AFP, NPA to hold one-day truce on Intl Peace Day Sept. 21

On September 21, declared by the United Nations (UN) as International Peace Day, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will suspend offensive operations against the communist New People's Army (NPA). AFP public affairs office chief Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said on Tuesday the Suspension of Offensive Military Operation (SOMO) will be enforced by military from Tuesday midnight and until Wednesday midnight. Burgos said the truce will be held in support of the UN declaration of the peace day. He added that the AFP will continue to protect the public despite the truce. "The AFP shall continue to secure and protect the populace against violence and atrocities and perform functions in support to the PNP and other law enforcement agencies," Burgos said. Burgos said the terrorist Abu Sayyaf is not covered by the truce. “First of all, we have peace negotiations with the NPA. The Abu Sayyaf are composed of terrorists and bandits. As embodied in our IPSP (Bayanihan), we do negotiate with terrorists," he said. On Sunday, AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Oban issued to major service commanders and unified area commanders the operational guidance on the truce, Burgos said. The truce is a "demonstration of AFP's commitment, sincerity and support to the primacy of the peace process as embodied in the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan," Burgos said. The Bayanihan is the military's campaign plan against "internal security threats," including the communist insurgents. Christmas, New Year truce The military traditionally declares a truce with the communists during the Christmas and New Year season. This is reciprocated by the NPA and its political wing Communist Party of the Philippines. In February this year, the government and the communists declared a truce for several days during the first round of formal peace negotiations during the term of President Aquino. The talks are due to resume next month in Oslo, Norway. The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have a standing ceasefire agreement. Like the NPA, the MILF is trying to negotiate for a peace accord with the government but there is currently a “deadlock" in the talks. - VVP, GMA News