It is the Macapagal-Arroyo regime itself that is closing the door to a Christmas ceasefire

Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal
Spokesperson
Communist Party of the Philippines
December 04, 2002

In the next few days, the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines will be announcing its decision on whether to declare a unilateral ceasefire this Christmas.

As in past years, the CPP is seriously considering the possibility of declaring a ceasefire this Christmas season. The CPP has in the past declared a cessation of hostilities to enable the people to celebrate Christmas and to bolster peace negotiations.

The Macapagal-Arroyo regime, however, is now waging a relentless war against the people, demonstrating its outright puppetry and trampling on the country's sovereignty and the people's welfare. The regime has absolutely no interest in providing opportunities for the peaceful celebration of the Christmas season. All it wants is to attack, and let Christmas be damned.

It is attacking the country's sovereignty. After signing the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA), Macapagal-Arroyo is now poised to let in more American troops starting early next year. These American troops plan to train their guns against the revolutionary movement.

Military attacks continue without letup. Based on information gathered from our sources within the military, the AFP plans to take advantage of a possible ceasefire declaration by the CPP to deploy more intelligence operatives and troops in suspected strongholds of the revolutionary movement. Such plans are to be carried out even if top AFP and PNP officials may declare suspension of offensive military operations.

Macapagal-Arroyo is eliminating any hope for the people to peacefully celebrate Christmas and closing the doors to a meaningful ceasefire declaration. It has not shown an iota of goodwill, thus making it difficult for the CPP to decide in favor of a ceasefire declaration this Christmas.###