President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday issued an ultimatum to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to reciprocate the government’s unilateral ceasefire.
Speaking to the troops at the 60th Infantry Batllion in Davao Del Norte, Duterte gave the CPP-NPA until 5 p.m. on Saturday to reciprocate the ceasefire.
“Asking you, are you ready to declare ceasefire or not? I will wait alas-singko ng hapon bukas (until 5 p.m. tomorrow). If I don’t get the word from you, will lift the order of ceasefire,” Duterte said.
In a television interview, Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza confirmed Duterte’s ultimatum.
On Thursday, Duterte demanded an explanation from the NPA after a government militiaman was killed and four others were wounded in an ambush in Davao del Norte by the communist group.
READ: Militiaman killed, 4 hurt in NPA ambush in Davao Norte
He threatened to cancel the ceasefire agreement if the CPP-NPA would fail to give an explanation and reciprocate the unilateral ceasefire. RAM/rga
READ: Duterte to NPA: Explain attack or I will cancel ceasefire
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