PNP, AFP vow to carry out duties amid truce

Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald “Bato’ dela Rosa INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

THE PHILIPPINE National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines will stick to their duties of securing the people and their communities while taking steps to enforce the restoration of the ceasefire with the communists that President Duterte ordered reimposed at midnight Saturday .

PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa ordered police units throughout the country to continue maintaining law and order.

“You are directed to ensure the maximum security of all our camps, units, cities and municipalities. All regional directors shall closely coordinate with their AFP counterparts in their respective areas,” PNP public information chief Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos quoted Dela Rosa as saying.

Lawless

The Department of National Defense said the AFP shall continue performing its duty to protect the people and the country, and will continue actions against lawless armed groups.

“We fully support the peace initiatives of the government, and we will direct the immediate implementation of the ceasefire declaration. Our troops will continue performing their constitutional duties to protect our communities, secure our sovereignty and preserve the territorial integrity of our Republic. The ceasefire is not applicable to lawless armed groups,” DND public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said operational guidelines were being crafted for communication to all AFP units on the ground.

“The nation can expect the guidelines will be followed to the letter as it has been so prior to its lifting by the [President],” he said. Jerome Aning