Visibly irked by the recent rebel attack on troops in Davao del Norte, President Duterte has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) ending 5 p.m. today to reciprocate his declaration of a truce and restore trust in the peace process.

Speaking before army soldiers based in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, the President expressed disappointment over the NPA ambush that took place at 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, a day after he declared a unilateral ceasefire in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) that was televised nationwide.

As a group of militiamen, under the supervision of the 60th Infantry Battalion, was passing through Sitio Kamunoan on their way to their base in Sitio Pasil, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, they came under rebel fire and lost one comrade. Four other members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) were injured.

“That is not a good response. I was expecting that they would be reciprocate with a ceasefire on their side,” Duterte said. “Tell me if you are not ready to deal in the same manner… are you ready to declare a ceasefire or not?” he added in a message apparently addressed to the communist leadership.

At one point during his impromptu speech, the President waved a paper containing the amounts he gave to the family of the slain victim as well as those injured in battle, which he said could have been used to feed the hungry..  Earlier, he paid  his respects to the slain militiaman and visited  the wounded in the hospital.

In Malacañang, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said the President was upset about the attack and now awaits an explanation from the communist group about the incident.

“The onus remains on their side. So if whatever trust there is, it must be firmed up from their side,” Abella said in a Palace press briefing.

“As soon as the trust is restored, then things will proceed as agreed upon,” he added, when asked if the government will push through with the release of political prisoners involved in the peace talks.

The President earlier threatened to cancel the unilateral ceasefire with the communist rebels if it could not adequately explain the ambush on Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) units in Davao del Norte by Thursday night.

Responding to the President’s statement, the communist group reportedly asked for more time to investigate the NPA attack.

Asked how long the President would wait for the NPA explanation, Abella said: “I don’t have a timeline for that but he’s giving a window. With this statement, I believe he is giving a small window of opportunity.”

“Actually it should not be existing but there is a very brief window of opportunity,” he added.

The attack, which left one CAFGU member dead, happened a few days after the President declared a unilateral truce with the communist rebels in his SONA as a confidence-building measure towards the resumption of the peace talks.

TREACHERY

However, Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV, a former Navy officer, said the ambush “was a treacherous act that must be condemned. There is no possible justification for it.’’

For his part, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) director-general said the unilateral ceasefire declaration by President Duterte should have been time-bound in relation to reciprocity.

“Dapat nung nag declare, if not reciprocated within 24 hours automatic expired na’’ (The unilateral ceasefire declaration should have automatically expired if not reciprocated within 24 hours).

In Davao City, Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that the government has already confronted National Democratic Front panel member Fidel Agcaoili on the NPA ambush in Davao del Norte earlier this week.

“It is disheartening that the NPA failed to respect the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Duterte last Monday during the SONA.  Barely two days after this ceasefire declaration,” he said.

Bello said that Agcaoili promised to “look into” the incident, as the NPA said it would be on active defense mode.

Agcaoli further said that just like President Duterte, the NDFP is committed to resume the peace negotiations to address the roots of the armed conflict towards a just and lasting peace as reiterated in the June 15, 2016 OSLO Joint Statement that affirms all past agreements.

“I strongly reiterate the call of President Duterte to the CPP-NPA-NDF to reciprocate the government’s ceasefire declaration in order to immediately stop violence on the ground, protect our communities from conflict, and provide an enabling environment for the resumption of formal peace negotiations.”

Sec. Bello made this appeal and stressed that as both sides continue to undertake preparations for the re-starting of formal talks on August 20-27 in Oslo, it is best that the government’s ceasefire is reciprocated unconditionally by the NDF to build trust and confidence on the peace process and more importantly bring peace in the communities for the good of the people.

WELCOME MOVE

Colonel Edgard Arevalo, the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Public Affairs Office (PAO), said that by his stern demand for an explanation, President Duterte showed how sincere he is in ending decades of war with the communists.

“That was a welcome move from the Commander in Chief from whose orders the AFP march onwards to the road to combat operations or the path to peace,” Arevalo said.

“By his stern demand for an explanation, President Duterte did not only send strong signals that he is sincere to end the years of strife by being the first to extend the hand for peace; he also underscored that those who truly desire peace must also manifest in unmistakable acts their adherence to that quest,” he added.

In Camp G. Nakar, Lucena City, Army chief Lieutenant General Eduardo Ano said yesterday they will stay on alert and expedite their duties and functions against criminal elements in the community while the Suspension of Military Operation (SOMO) is in effect.

Ano said that he directed all military operational units from company size, battalions, brigades and divisions in SOLCOM areas to follow the unilateral ceasefire as declared by President Duterte last July 25, 2016.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Genalyn D. Kabiling and Mario B. Casayuran

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