Gov’t accuses Reds of breaking the truce

MANILA, Philippines—The government on Wednesday challenged the communists to “walk their talk” toward resuming peace talks after a series of incidents that the presidential peace adviser said had undermined their Christmas ceasefire.

“In blatant disregard of the Christmas season, when our people desire and expect peace and goodwill, the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front) reciprocated the government’s gesture of a month-long unilateral ceasefire with acts of senseless violence,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said in a statement.

Deles cited three recent incidents in a span of one week that not only caused destruction to property, but also resulted in the loss of lives.

A unilateral suspension of military and police operations took effect on Dec. 19 to end on Jan. 19, the day Pope Francis wraps up his four-day visit to the Philippines.

Deles denounced the NPA’s torching of building construction equipment in Camarines Norte, and the burning of a civilian vehicle in Agusan del Sur on Dec. 22.

“Both acts were committed in retaliation of the civilians’ refusal to give in to their extortion,” Deles said.

The next day, communist rebels abducted Compostela Valley jail warden Jose Mervin Gementiza Coquilla in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

On Dec. 29, the NPA was suspected in the killing of 1st Lt. Ronald Bautista, Pfc. Albert Amor and military volunteer Renel Baluca in Sitio (settlement) Barigyan, Mabini, Compostela Valley.

Deles said the three men were “unarmed soldiers in civilian clothes on their way to spend the holidays with their families when they were shot point-blank by members of the NPA.”—Nikko Dizon