Government security forces are prepared to respond if attacked by communist rebels during the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Duterte, an official from the Department of Interior and Local Government said yesterday.
Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya made the statement after expressing dismay with the rebel group’s reluctance to reciprocate the truce amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“Nakakalungkot na ang naging tugon naman po ng Communist Party of the Philippines ay wala pa raw basehan para sila din ay magdeklara ng ceasefire,” he said during the “Laging Handa” public briefing on People’s Television network.
“Ang ating kapulisan ay ready naman ‘yan kung sakaling sila ay tirahin ng mga New People’s Army lalaban sila,” he said.
Malaya, however, urged the communist rebels to put the country’s interests before their own especially as the nation is confronted with a public health emergency. “Sana naman ilagay naman ang national interest above their own interest,” he said.
President Duterte has declared a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP and its armed wing New People’s Army effective March 19 to April 15 amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
The Department of National Defense and the DILG, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, have been ordered to “cease and desist” from carrying out offensive military and police operations during the ceasefire period.
Communist leader Jose Maria Sison reportedly said there was no basis to reciprocate the government’s ceasefire with the group. He said ceasefire declaration of Duterte was “premature, if not sincere, and false.”
Malaya is saddened by the rebel group’s response. He bewailed that the communist rebels only demonstrated that they have no love for country.
“Ang buong bansa po ay nasa state of national calamity ngunit kung ang tugon po ng kaliwa ay ganito, lumalabas lang po ang tunay nilang kulay,” he said. “Walang silang pagmamahal sa bansa at ang gusto lang nila ay pabagsakin ang gobyerno kasama na rin ang taumbayan.” (Genalyn Kabiling)