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Duterte hopes to comment on the proposal
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is expected to give great weight to the proposal of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that the government not declare a ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) during the holidays, his spokesman said Thursday.
Secretary Harry Roque Jr., at a virtual press conference, said he did not want to “guess” the president’s decision when seeking a reaction on the AFP recommendation, but assured that the president gives “a lot of weight” to proposals like this . .
AFP, in a statement on Thursday, said it would not recommend to the president a festive ceasefire with the communist rebels because of the alleged “inability of the group to be sincere and faithful to a pact.”
Major General Edgard Arévalo, a spokesman for AFP, said this was because the CPP-NPA breached its own ceasefire declaration and attacked soldiers in the past.
During the truce, the communist rebels also continued to commit crimes such as extortion, arson and murder, Arévalo said.
Arévalo, however, stressed that the AFP chief, Gilbert Gapay, assured the president that whatever decision he makes will be supported by the military “in the exercise of its prerogatives.”
Earlier this week, President Duterte identified the Makabayan bloc, whose members include Bayan Muna representative Carlos Zarate, Gabriela representative Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers representative France Castro, and Kabataan representative Sarah Elago , among others, as legal fronts of the CPP-NPA.
He also defended the administration from criticism for allegedly red-labeling congressmen and celebrities, saying the government was not red-labeling but identifying members of the CPP-NPA.
“You are accusing us of labeling you red. No. The Armed Forces of the Philippines are quite right. He is identified as a member of the Communist Party. [Party of the Philippines]. We know. That’s the truth. Not labeling red (we know. That’s the truth. That’s not labeling red). “
Last weekend, elite Philippine army forces clashed with Communist rebels, resulting in the death of an NPA rebel who was identified as Jevilyn Cullamat, daughter of Bayan Muna’s representative, Eufemia Cullamat.
Benito and Wilma Tiamzon were sentenced in absentia last week for the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of four army lieutenants in 1988 by a Quezon City court. A manhunt has been ordered against the couple.
During the first months of the coronavirus pandemic, both the military and communist rebels declared a truce in response to a call from the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, for a global ceasefire to focus on Covid-19.
The Philippines is among the worst affected countries and, at one point, even made it into the Top 20 nations with the most confirmed cases.
Guterres reiterated his call in September when he delivered his annual address to the UN General Assembly in New York.
With reports from DEMPSEY REYES
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