Palace still undecided on ‘holiday truce’ but wants ‘permanent truce’ with Reds

MANILA, Philippines – The government has yet to decide whether or not it would observe a holiday truce with the communist rebels, Malacañang said Tuesday, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of a full-scale war against the New People’s Army (NPA).

“The position is we will discuss it. There will be discussion necessarily for any recommendation by any member of the Cabinet,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Panelo’s comment came after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he is not inclined to recommend a unilateral holiday truce with the rebels, citing they might use this to reinforce their group.

But even without the final decision yet, Panelo said the government wanted a “permanent truce” with the communist rebels.

“There should be permanent truce. There should be no bloodshed as far as the government is concerned. It’s about the oldest bloodshed [ends], it’s been fifty years, my God,” he said.

“Let’s end the internecine among Filipinos,” he added.

The communist insurgency in the Philippines is the longest in Asia.

Mr. Duterte has initiated peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines but negotiations failed after some differences between the two parties.  /kga