Brace for the resumption of the war between government troops and communist rebels.
President Duterte has ordered the lifting of the government’s unilateral ceasefire with the communist rebel group following a “breakdown” in the peace process arising from its “unreasonable” demands.
In a visit to North Cotabato yesterday, the President told government forces to “be ready to fight,” admitting that peace with the rebels could not be attained anytime soon. Duterte made the announcement a few days after the communist rebel group claimed it was withdrawing its unilateral ceasefire with the government.
“Kagabi I decided, I called (Armed Forces chief) Gen. (Eduardo) Año and said ni-lift ko yung ceasefire tonight.
Walang ng ceasefire,” the President said, referring to the indefinite truce he restored last August.
I’m really very sorry. I’d tried my best but, parang sa kanta, my best was not good enough. So para sa tingin ko, there will be no peace in this land vis-à-vis with the Communist Party. Ipagpatuloy natin ‘yung giyera,” he added during the launch of a solar-powered irrigation system in North Cotabato.
Duterte bewailed that six soldiers, including a military officer, were killed in recent clashes despite an existing truce with the rebels. “Because I have lost so many soldiers in just 48 hours I think to continue with a ceasefire does not or will not produce anything. Therefore I’m asking the soldiers go back to your camps clean your rifles and be ready to fight. I am sorry but that is how it is,” he said.
The President lamented the peace talks have been derailed after rebel group made “unreasonable demands” such as the release of hundreds of political prisoners. Duterte explained that he has refused to grant the rebels’ demand to free 400 political prisoners because it was already tantamount to granting amnesty. He said such demand was “too huge that was impossible to meet.”
He said he has “walked an extra mile” in restarting the peace talks with the rebels when he freed several rebel leaders who joined the peace negotiations as a confidence building measure. “I would have wanted very much, talagang gusto ko… It’s about 50 years in the making. Ang ibig sabihin gusto ninyo another 50 years. Wala ng katapusan? Eh kung walang katapusan, ‘di sige,” Duterte said.
“But let it not be said that I did not try. So I guess that peace with the communists cannot be realized during our generation. Maybe years from now. So ayaw ko magpatayan. Pero kung ganon lang naman na ang mga sundalo ko pinagpapatay, pati sa ibang lugar, resume tayo, anytime,” he said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said that they are ready to comply with Duterte’s order lifting the government’s unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels.
“We will comply with the commander-in-chief’s order and guidance,” said AFP spokesman Air Force Brig. General Restituto Padilla.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año said that it is unfortunate that the gains of the last six months would come to a halt because the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army again resorted to violence and chose arms to advance their interests.
“The last four days were disdainful and disturbing. While Fidel Agcaoilli was assuring the public thru media that the National Democratic Front-CPP-NPA will continue the unilateral ceasefire, communist rebels were attacking our soldiers who were doing community support and development works,” Año said. (With a report from Francis T. Wakefield)
(GENALYN D. KABILING)