Una rito, nag-anunsyo ang Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) na magiging epektibo ang kanilang ceasefire sakaling mag-utos din ang gobyerno.
Pero makalipas lang ang ilang oras, sinabi ni Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo na aprubado na ng pangulo ang tigil-putukan.
Epektibo ang ceasefire mula hatinggabi ng December 23, 2019 hanggang 11:59 ng gabi ng January 7, 2020.
“The Palace hereby announces that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has directed the declaration of a unilateral and reciprocal ceasefire with the coalition of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army and the National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). The ceasefire will be implemented nationwide, and it shall be effective from 12:00AM of 23 December 2019 and shall last until 11:59PM of 07 January 2020,” ani Panelo.
Ipinag-utos anya ng presidente sa Department of National Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, kasama ang Armed Forces of the Philippines at Philippine National Police na maglabas ng official declaration ng ceasefire.
Bukod dito, muling binuo ng presidente ang government negotiating panel at itinalaga si Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea bilang isa sa mga miyembro.
Umaasa anya ang tanggapan ng presidente sa posibilidad ng pagbabalik ng peace talks sa mga komunista at matamo ang minimithing pangmatagalang kapayapaan.
“With the undertaking of these confidence-building measures — a reflection of the seriousness and commitment of the GRP, as well as a mark of goodwill on the part of the Commander-in-Chief — the Office of the President looks forward to the possible resumption of peace talks with the NDF, achieve accord with the whole coalition and ultimately, attain a lasting peace among the citizenry of our country,” giit ni Panelo.
Giit ni Panelo, hangad ni Pangulong Duterte ang masayang pagdiriwang ng Pasko ng mga Filipino na ligtas sa anumang uri ng karahasan o kaguluhan.
“The President wishes that all Filipinos enjoy quietude and serenity as they celebrate the Holiday Season with their loved ones free from violence or any form of disruption,” dagdag ng kalihim.
Una na nang ibinasura ng pangulo ang usapang pangkapayapaan sa mga komunista noong Marso at sinabing makipag-usap na lamang ang mga ito sa susunod na presidente.
Pero nito lamang buwan, inutusan ni Duterte si Labor Sec. Silvestre Bello III na makipag-usap kay CPP leader Jose Maria Sison at sinabing lagi dapat bukas ang pintuan para sa pagtamo ng kapayapaan.