Malacañang said yesterday the government will remain vigilant amid the 16-day nationwide unilateral and reciprocal ceasefire that the government has with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said it doesn’t matter to Malacanang if the NPA will honor their word about the ceasefire because the essence of a rebellion was to put the government down, including the people running it.
“It is not far-fetched that they want to eliminate all the officials running this government. But we’re prepared for that. We’re ready for that. They’ve been trying to do that for the last 50 years and they failed,” Panelo said. “Any attack on their part will destroy the presumption of the sincerity of this particular group,” he added.
“Regardless of the success of the peace talks, ano man ang mangyari, palagi tayong ready whatever the eventuality.”
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the Armed Forces of the Philippines and authorities will continue to remain vigilant and attentive throughout the period of the ceasefire, at the ready to respond to any threats should there be any.
“We will continue to be serious and committed in attaining the peace that this nation has been longing for with the CPP-NPA-NDF as we want to achieve security, progress, and development together with all Filipinos,” he said.
Suspected members of the New People’s Army have launched violent attacks against soldiers and policemen in Labo, Camarines Norte; Tubungan, Iloilo, and Quezon several hours in the first day of the ceasefire.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has said that the leadership of the CPP-NPA-NDF has “no control” of its members following the series of attacks.
“This shows that the leadership of the CPP-NPA-NDF does not have at all any control over their people,” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said. (Argyll Geducos and Martin Sadongdong)