Palace: Ceasefire extension with Reds up to task force, Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — The extension of the unilateral ceasefire between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army can be discussed by the National Task Force on Ending Local Armed Conflict with President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang said Sunday.
“On whether the government would extend the unilateral ceasefire, this matter is something the National Task Force on Ending Local Armed Conflict can discuss with the President,” Roque stated.
This comes after the CPP ordered NPA units to cease action against state government troops and extended their ceasefire until 11:59 p.m. of April 30, which is also the deadline of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
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“The call for peace is everyone’s desire and it has become more urgent in the present state of calamity and public health emergency,” Roque said.
Roque, however, added that he found it “unfortunate” that NPA members would violate their own declaration of a truce, citing the CPP’s earlier declaration of a ceasefire last March 25 so that the government can focus on the COVID-19 crisis.
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“We find it, however, unfortunate that the members of the New People’s Army (NPA) themselves violated their own declaration of truce in the form of violent armed encounters with government troops. They even forcibly seized relief goods last April 7 intended for Barangay Guinmayohan residents in Balangiga, Eastern Samar, affected by COVID-19,”
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