‘Gov’t has finally awakened,’ says ‘Bato’ on no ceasefire with Reds under Duterte’s term

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Tuesday said the government “has finally awakened” following President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement that there would be no ceasefire with the communist rebels during his remaining years in office.

“That kind of [government] attitude towards ceasefire is long overdue,” Dela Rosa, the Duterte administration’s former top cop, said in a message to reporters.

“The [government] has finally awakened from deep slumber characterized by deceitful means employed by the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, and the National Democratic Front),” he added.

During his weekly public address, the President said there would be no ceasefire with the communist rebels during this year’s holiday season—or “ever again”—during this administration.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson, chair of the Senate national defense committee, believes ceasefire with the NPA could still be discussed at the local level.

“Since peace talks are now localized, a ceasefire with the NPA rebels is better discussed at the local level as well, probably on a case-to-case basis,” Lacson said in a separate message.

“Rebels who may wish to lay down their arms but wouldn’t know how to go about it could find the confidence to do so if a localized ceasefire is in force,” he added. [ac]