By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it strongly condemns the attack allegedly initiated by the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), in Barangay Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal last March 28 despite the earlier declaration of a ceasefire.

The ceasefire by the CPP-NPA was supposed to last from March 26 to April 15 in light of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. CHR Spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said the rebel group’s acceptance of ceasefire was a welcome development, especially since the government also declared a unilateral ceasefire days before the CPP-NPA’s declaration.

However, just two days after the communists’ ceasefire declaration, reports surfaced about an armed attacked

“In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, the CHR condemns the said attack, which ultimately caused the loss of lives from both the government and rebels’ side. Two soldiers were also said to have been wounded from the firefight,” said de Guia.

She added that the atrocity contributes nothing but danger to the lives of people in the communities, and it breaks the spirit of declaring a ceasefire for a humanitarian cause.