After President Rodrigo Duterte called off the government's unilateral ceasefire, the leadership of communist rebel group said on Sunday that it is willing to issue a unilateral ceasefire declaration.
"To further support peace negotiations, the CPP is willing to issue a unilateral ceasefire declaration separately but simultaneously with the Duterte government on August 20," the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said in a statement.
The CPP statement posted on the National Democratic of the Philippines (NDFP) official website on Sunday, July 31, added the time-frame can be determined through negotiations.
Reacting to the communist group's statement, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said: "Indeed, this is a welcome development. It affirms the value of the President's firm actions for peace. This is what we have been waiting for."
Dureza announced last month (July 19) that the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the communist rebel group leadership will formally begin on August 20 to 27, 2016 in Oslo, Norway.
"The first round of formal peace talks between government and the NDF will proceed as scheduled on August 20 to 27 even as President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday lifted his five-day unilateral ceasefire," MindaNews quoted Dureza as saying.
The communist group's central committee expressed dismay over the lifting of unilateral declaration of ceasefire by President Duterte last July 25, saying "It is too bad that he has withdrawn such an order."
The CPP, however, said that this (revoked unilateral ceasefire) will not affect preparations for formal resumption of peace negotiations scheduled for August 20-27 in Oslo, Norway, nor will it preclude the President from reissuing such a declaration simultaneously with a similar unilateral declaration by the CPP and NPA on August 20.
The CPP said they continue to look forward to work with the President in peace negotiations, adding that with his declared intent of resolving the issues at the root of the armed conflict, President Duterte will not want the fascist zealots of the US counter-insurgency doctrine to succeed in derailing peace negotiations and seeing him fail to forge a lasting peace agreement with the NDFP.
"It was quite capricious for the President to have imposed such ultimatums of a few hours or several days for the CPP to act in accordance with his whims. It was quite disconcerting that the GRP President would impose such an inflexible ultimatum on the CPP. Despite his anti-crime bravado, it would seem he has shown the drug lords and protectors of criminal syndicates more flexibility and accommodation."
The CPP said it is advisable for the President to exercise a little more prudence and display more measured temperament as a way of appreciating the situation from a broader historical perspective in order to avoid such impulsive acts as imposing ultimatums by the hour on a conflict that has spanned nearly fifty years.
In a statement emailed to Anadolu Agency (AA) Sunday evening, Dureza said "it is very clear that the President walked the extra mile for peace. And no doubt, he will still continue to do so at any given opportunity."
The peace adviser said he will make his corresponding recommendations to the President and the whole Cabinet tomorrow Monday, August 1, during the scheduled Cabinet meeting in the afternoon.
During the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, the President declared a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP/NPA/NDF “in order to stop violence on the ground, safeguard the citizenry, and provide an enabling environment for the resumption of peace negotiation."
Dureza said consistent with previous unilateral ceasefires, like during Christmas holidays, there was high expectation that the NDF would forthwith and immediately announce also its own as positive response to the President's declaration.
"This was precisely the reason for the President's statement in the SONA that he was calling on and expecting the NDF to respond accordingly," he said.
According to him, the following day, July 26, the NDF, instead of issuing its expected declaration said they could not do so as yet as they were waiting for the precise written orders on the ceasefire.
In immediate response, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and subsequently the Philippine National Police issued their respective policy guidance in writing on how they would carry on with a ceasefire in place, said Dureza.
"Copies thereof were sent immediately to the NDF in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Yet, in spite of this, there was still no declaration from them," he added.
The following day, July 27, Dureza said a fire fight happened between the NPAs and elements of the AFP civilian auxiliary in Davao del Norte resulting to the death of a civilian auxiliary force member and the wounding of 3 others.
The President then called on the CPP/NPA/NDF again to explain why this happened in the midst of his ceasefire declaration.
Duterte gave the NDF the end of the following day, July 28, to do so. Still the expected declaration was not issued.
"The following day, July 29, during the President's visit in a military camp in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, he lamented the unnecessary loss of lives and publicly asked again the NDF to issue its own declaration of unilateral ceasefire to avoid similar incidents to happen," Dureza said in a statement.
"Although already obviously disappointed and exasperated, he announced 5 o'clock the following day, July 30, as a final deadline otherwise he would lift the government's ceasefire in order to further secure the civilians and secure the peace."
"By 5 o'clock in the afternoon of July 30, the final deadline the President announced lapsed and
still there was no declaration from the NDF. But the President still patiently waited," Dureza continued.
In the meantime, Dureza said disturbing messages from the ranks of the NPA were monitored. Its Southern Mindanao Regional Command claimed the government's unilateral ceasefire was “non-existent” as it also blamed the AFP as “sabotaging” the ceasefire.
"Its leadership also belittled the efforts of the President, saying that he could not dictate on the revolutionaries. By 7pm, knowing that an unanswered ceasefire declaration was not for the best interest of the nation, the President then authorized the release of a statement declaring the lifting of the ceasefire."
However, Dureza said after an hour thereafter, past the deadline and evidently informed of the President's announced position, the NDF publicly stated in the media that it was already ready to issue its own corresponding ceasefire declaration.
The CPP statement posted on the National Democratic of the Philippines (NDFP) official website on Sunday, July 31, added the time-frame can be determined through negotiations.
Reacting to the communist group's statement, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said: "Indeed, this is a welcome development. It affirms the value of the President's firm actions for peace. This is what we have been waiting for."
Dureza announced last month (July 19) that the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the communist rebel group leadership will formally begin on August 20 to 27, 2016 in Oslo, Norway.
"The first round of formal peace talks between government and the NDF will proceed as scheduled on August 20 to 27 even as President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday lifted his five-day unilateral ceasefire," MindaNews quoted Dureza as saying.
The communist group's central committee expressed dismay over the lifting of unilateral declaration of ceasefire by President Duterte last July 25, saying "It is too bad that he has withdrawn such an order."
The CPP, however, said that this (revoked unilateral ceasefire) will not affect preparations for formal resumption of peace negotiations scheduled for August 20-27 in Oslo, Norway, nor will it preclude the President from reissuing such a declaration simultaneously with a similar unilateral declaration by the CPP and NPA on August 20.
The CPP said they continue to look forward to work with the President in peace negotiations, adding that with his declared intent of resolving the issues at the root of the armed conflict, President Duterte will not want the fascist zealots of the US counter-insurgency doctrine to succeed in derailing peace negotiations and seeing him fail to forge a lasting peace agreement with the NDFP.
"It was quite capricious for the President to have imposed such ultimatums of a few hours or several days for the CPP to act in accordance with his whims. It was quite disconcerting that the GRP President would impose such an inflexible ultimatum on the CPP. Despite his anti-crime bravado, it would seem he has shown the drug lords and protectors of criminal syndicates more flexibility and accommodation."
The CPP said it is advisable for the President to exercise a little more prudence and display more measured temperament as a way of appreciating the situation from a broader historical perspective in order to avoid such impulsive acts as imposing ultimatums by the hour on a conflict that has spanned nearly fifty years.
In a statement emailed to Anadolu Agency (AA) Sunday evening, Dureza said "it is very clear that the President walked the extra mile for peace. And no doubt, he will still continue to do so at any given opportunity."
The peace adviser said he will make his corresponding recommendations to the President and the whole Cabinet tomorrow Monday, August 1, during the scheduled Cabinet meeting in the afternoon.
During the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, the President declared a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP/NPA/NDF “in order to stop violence on the ground, safeguard the citizenry, and provide an enabling environment for the resumption of peace negotiation."
Dureza said consistent with previous unilateral ceasefires, like during Christmas holidays, there was high expectation that the NDF would forthwith and immediately announce also its own as positive response to the President's declaration.
"This was precisely the reason for the President's statement in the SONA that he was calling on and expecting the NDF to respond accordingly," he said.
According to him, the following day, July 26, the NDF, instead of issuing its expected declaration said they could not do so as yet as they were waiting for the precise written orders on the ceasefire.
In immediate response, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and subsequently the Philippine National Police issued their respective policy guidance in writing on how they would carry on with a ceasefire in place, said Dureza.
"Copies thereof were sent immediately to the NDF in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Yet, in spite of this, there was still no declaration from them," he added.
The following day, July 27, Dureza said a fire fight happened between the NPAs and elements of the AFP civilian auxiliary in Davao del Norte resulting to the death of a civilian auxiliary force member and the wounding of 3 others.
The President then called on the CPP/NPA/NDF again to explain why this happened in the midst of his ceasefire declaration.
Duterte gave the NDF the end of the following day, July 28, to do so. Still the expected declaration was not issued.
"The following day, July 29, during the President's visit in a military camp in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, he lamented the unnecessary loss of lives and publicly asked again the NDF to issue its own declaration of unilateral ceasefire to avoid similar incidents to happen," Dureza said in a statement.
"Although already obviously disappointed and exasperated, he announced 5 o'clock the following day, July 30, as a final deadline otherwise he would lift the government's ceasefire in order to further secure the civilians and secure the peace."
"By 5 o'clock in the afternoon of July 30, the final deadline the President announced lapsed and
still there was no declaration from the NDF. But the President still patiently waited," Dureza continued.
In the meantime, Dureza said disturbing messages from the ranks of the NPA were monitored. Its Southern Mindanao Regional Command claimed the government's unilateral ceasefire was “non-existent” as it also blamed the AFP as “sabotaging” the ceasefire.
"Its leadership also belittled the efforts of the President, saying that he could not dictate on the revolutionaries. By 7pm, knowing that an unanswered ceasefire declaration was not for the best interest of the nation, the President then authorized the release of a statement declaring the lifting of the ceasefire."
However, Dureza said after an hour thereafter, past the deadline and evidently informed of the President's announced position, the NDF publicly stated in the media that it was already ready to issue its own corresponding ceasefire declaration.
Meanwhile, some Senators expressed support to the lifting of ceasefire with communist group.
Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito agreed with the president’s decision, saying “he has every reason to call off the truce.”
”It was President Duterte who offered a handshake for peace and reconciliation. It was the Reds who rejected and in the process violated the truce offered by the government,” he added.
Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said President Duterte made the right decision when the popular leader did not extend the ultimatum.
”It would show that the president and this administration mean business. We are extending our hand of peace and friendship, yet we get nothing in return. I support the president’s decision,” Sotto said.
Senate minority member Antonio Trillanes IV also supported the president’s decision.
”I support President Duterte’s lifting of the ceasefire with the communists,” Trillanes, a former Navy officer, said.
Senator Panfilo Lacson said the President made the right decision since the ultimatum was made six days after he declared the ceasefire and the NPA rebels even ambushed the government militiamen.
”The president already gave his word to set an ultimatum at 5 p.m. Because of the ambush, he said that if they (rebels) will not reciprocate, he will revoke the ceasefire. Siguro taliwas sa kanyang character na pag nagbitaw ng salita na pag sinabi niya, talagang alam nating gagawin niya,” Lacson said.
Lacson criticized the CPP-NPA-NDF for announcing in the media that they were about to declare a ceasefire three hours after the 5 p.m. ultimatum expired.
”The president declared the ceasefire 25 (of July) but they did not reciprocate. Now that it was lifted after the ultimatum lapsed, they said they would call a ceasefire at 8 p.m. Stupid is just a common phrase. It’s not literal (that they would declare ceasefire),” Lacson said.
Lacson said the CPP-NPA-NDF should declare its own ceasefire as a show of their goodwill and good faith.
Neophyte Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed optimism that the peace agreement between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF will be achieved expeditiously “with President Digong’s showing of goodwill.”
”The NDF should also move expeditiously to achieve peace. President Digong is their only chance to achieve peace. He is the only president that sympathizes with their cause and movement,” Gatchalian said.
Senator Juan Edgardo Angara said President Duterte had little choice when he set the ultimatum after the attack of the government militiamen, “especially as the president has been making a tour of military camps.”
”Hopefully both sides can engage in confidence building measures in the run up to the peace talks,” Angara said. MGP News
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