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MANILA, Philippines – Philippine security forces are inclined to give up the traditional holiday ceasefire with communist rebels.
Philippine Armed Forces spokesman Major General Edgard Arévalo said the army will not recommend a declaration of suspension of military operations with the New People’s Army (NPA) to President Rodrigo Duterte due to the lack of sincerity on the other side.
He said that the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), showed “an inability for sincerity and for being unfaithful to a pact … many times in the past.”
“During the term of a truce, these terrorists continued their extortion activities and committed crimes of murder, arson and the like,” said Arevalo.
He accused the Communists of using the peace talks “only to give themselves the opportunity to regroup, renew, recruit new members and recoup their losses.”
The military often declare a ceasefire during the holidays, which is also reciprocated by the communist rebels.
However, Arevalo said that AFP chief General Gilbert Gapay will support the president’s final decision on the matter.
On Tuesday, the Senate concluded its hearings on allegations by the military that progressive groups, including the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives, are serving as fronts for the CPP-NPA.
/ MUF
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