By Bohol Island News Staff | 05:19 PM December 26, 2019
A rally in Bohol greeted the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as it celebrated its 51st anniversary Thursday, Dec. 26.
Police Col. Jonathan Cabal, director of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) said the peace rally held at the Tagbilaran City Square was held to denounce the “treacherous acts” allegedly committed by the communist guerillas.
“Alam natin na it has been 51 years naitatag yang Communist Party of the Philipines at 51 years na na rin yung kanilang panloloko sa bayan. They have to embrace what the government is offering to them,” Cabal said.
Around 500 participants from different groups-Muslim communities, force multipliers, police and the Army- attended the rally.
Organizers urged members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the CPP’s armed wing, to abandon their armed struggle and return to mainstream society.
Three former NPA rebels shared their testimonies in a short program. They urged their fellow comrades to surrender because of the ongoing military operations and difficult life in the mountains.
In his anniversary message, CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison, who has been on self-exile in The Netherlands, claimed that Duterte’s efforts “to destroy the CPP have failed.”
Both sides have agreed to a ceasefire from December 23, 2019 to January 7, 2020.
The United States government classified the CPP-NPA as a “foreign terrorist organization.”
