President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during his visit in Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – President Duterte on Tuesday vowed to seek peace with everyone a day after he declared a unilateral ceasefire with the communist groups during his first State of the Nation Address (Sona).
“I plead peace with everybody,” Duterte told soldiers in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.
“Let me explain to you: The unilateral ceasefire it is not my decision alone. It is the decision of the Cabinet,” the President added.
Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire with communist guerrillas effective immediately Monday and asked the rebels to do the same to end decades of deadly fighting and foster the resumption of peace talks.
“I am a President that seeks peace with everyone. Ang trabaho ko pagka-presidente ay hindi maghanap ng away. Ang trabaho ko pagka-presidente tignan ko walang gulo ang Philippines,” he added.
The Chief Executive said the issuance of safe conduct passes to CPP-NPA founder Jose Ma. Sison and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) head Nur Misuari was now in the works.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Murad Ebrahim has expressed his willingness to join the peace talks under the Duterte administration.
The Philippine government and the communists groups are set to start formal peace talks on August 20.
But Duterte warned the MILF and the MNLF that they should make sure to cut their ties with terrorist groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf, before they could talk peace.
“Gusto [kong] marinig sa MILF at MNLF at yang Abu Sayyaf ay wala [nang] connection,” he said.
The President said the government should be ready in case the peace talks and ceasefire fail.
He called on state forces to “be ready to guard the integrity of the Republic and to protect the people.”
“Di natin alam bigla na lang mag-away at [magka]gulo; it is always a comforting thought na meron akong armed forces na ready just in case di tayo magkaintindihan,” he said.
“We will be ready for an instant failure,” he added.
Duterte said he would give everything the Armed Forces needed to improve its capabilities.
“You’ll have everything you need para di dehado sa bakbakan,” he said.
He said the government is eyeing 20,000 more soldiers to ensure peace and to combat terrorism, especially in Mindanao./rga
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