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| File photo shows members of the New People’s Army in the hinterlands of Davao during the anniversary celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines. AP |
Duterte ends truce with Reds; peace process in shambles
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The military is preparing to let loose the dogs of war after President Duterte ended the government’s six-month ceasefire with communist rebels following attacks that left three soldiers dead this week.
Duterte disclosed his decision in a speech yesterday, two days after New People’s Army rebels announced they would end their ceasefire effective Feb. 10, citing the government’s refusal to release 400 political prisoners and accusing the military of encroaching into rural NPA strongholds.
A frustrated Duterte lamented that he had done his best to forge an enduring agreement and the communists had wasted a “golden opportunity” for peace.
“Last (Thursday) night, I decided to lift the ceasefire,” he told the crowd at the launching of a solar-powered irrigation system in North Cotabato.
Duterte said the government’s unilateral ceasefire would end last night as he ordered soldiers to “clean your rifles and be ready to fight.”
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it is ready to resume offensives against the NPA following the President’s announcement.
“We will go after the NPA to prevent them from conducting atrocities and criminal activities against the public. And we will hit them hard,” AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año declared.
“We shall abide by the President’s order of ending the unilateral ceasefire. It is unfortunate that the gains of the last six months would come to a halt because the CPP-NPA again resorted to the use of violence and chose arms to advance their interests,” he said.
Duterte cited the “unreasonable demands” of the communists regarding the release of more political detainees that apparently caused the breakdown in peace talks.
“To continue with the ceasefire will not produce anything. I guess peace cannot be realized within our generation,” Duterte said.
The NPA on Wednesday declared they are terminating their unilateral ceasefire after accusing the government of failing to release all political prisoners and encroaching on rebel-held areas.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its military arm, the NPA, said the ceasefire that began Aug. 28 would expire Feb. 10.
The rebels and the government had separately declared a ceasefire as they resumed peace talks.
Duterte stressed he freed rebel leaders as a concession aimed at fostering the peace talks but added the CPP-NPA and the National Democratic Front (NDF), the umbrella group representing the rebels in negotiating peace with the government, raised excessive demands that may upset the military.
“I went out of my way to release as many of their leaders to allow them to participate in the talks in Oslo. Now there is this demand to release some 400 political prisoners, I could not do that because it is already tantamount to the granting of amnesty,” Duterte said.
He explained the granting of amnesty is usually allowed following the success of peace negotiations.
Duterte said he had to weigh the expert opinion of his advisers to arrive at the decision.
“I do not own the Republic of the Philippines. I do not decide alone. I consult people, particularly the military,” he said.
Duterte, a self-styled socialist who was swept to power in elections last year, restarted peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF that had been on and off for 30 years.
The two sides separately declared ceasefires in August, and the informal arrangement largely held as they continued discussions in Rome last week.
But the CPP-NPA-NDF rejected government overtures to sign a formal ceasefire and peace settlement this year, warning such a pact was unlikely to be achieved before 2019.
Duterte on Thursday criticized the rebels for rejecting his government’s formal ceasefire offer and for insisting that he free hundreds of jailed rebel leaders.
While the military has publicly endorsed the peace talks, Duterte suggested the support was qualified.
“Don’t push me against the wall because the military might not like it, and if the military ousts me or kills me you’ll have nobody to talk to,” Duterte said.
“They said they are breaking off, so we’ll follow. I lost six soldiers and one officer. That was why last night (Thursday) I decided to break off too. I told General Año that there will be no more ceasefire. I lifted the ceasefire effective tonight (last night),” Duterte said.
Earlier in the day, government chief peace negotiator Silvestre Bello III declared they are expected to sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement and come up with the final peace agreement before yearend.
“That is why on April 2-7 we will be back in Oslo to talk about the most important issue on social and economic reforms to address the causes of our problems,” Bello told a forum in Bulacan yesterday.
But Duterte said he was forced to break off the ceasefire after receiving reports of “systematic attacks” by the NPA against government forces even before their declaration to scuttle their own ceasefire next Friday.
“I realized that peace with the communists cannot be realized within our generation. They said Feb. 10, but they have been ambushing our troops then and there, even before their deadline,” he said.
Duterte said that he really tried his best to forge a peace agreement with the communist rebels. “I went out of my way, walked the extra mile just to look for the opening to find peace for my country. I may not be the most decent person but I entered into this in good faith, in looking for peace. But with the way things are now, we cannot have a peaceful generation,” he said.
Duterte stressed his administration would have been the golden opportunity for the rebels to make peace.
“I come from the Left and that they should have taken advantage of my being president. But they didn’t,” he added.
“And now they want another 50 years in war, to keep on fighting. What do you want? Another 50 years? Let it not be said that I did not try hard,” the President said.
“I don’t want us to kill each other but under the circumstances, with my troops getting killed, we have to resume (offensives) anytime,” he said
“We will comply with the commander-in-chief’s order and guidance,” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.
“We are saddened by the series of violent activities and the loss of the peace investments and dividends from the momentary duration of peace we had since August,” Padilla said.
Padilla said the violence committed by the NPA in the past few days was “very disturbing,” considering the government was still pushing for a joint ceasefire declaration.
Año, for his part, noted the last four days since Sunday were “disdainful and disturbing,” considering NDF chief peace negotiator Fidel Agcaoili was assuring the public through the media that the CPP-NPA-NDF will continue the unilateral ceasefire.
Año said CPP-NPA was doing the opposite by attacking soldiers who were doing community support and development works.
Despite the lifting of the ceasefire on the part of the government, Año assured the public that the AFP would continue to support the peace talks and find a permanent peaceful solution to the four decades-long conflict.
“We hear the people’s clamor for peace and are willing to work hard to attain it, but it is unfortunate that the CPP-NPA-NDF chooses to play deaf,” he said.
Down the line, Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero issued a directive to the troops to be on alert for possible attacks from the NPA.
“Alert troops for possible attacks. Protect the communities from criminal acts of extortion, burning of equipment, abductions, liquidations and other forms of atrocities,” Guerrero said.
He said all units under Eastmincom are now on active defense posture.
The NPA has been active in the region under the Eastmincom.
Suspected NPA rebels snatched two soldiers in a remote village in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat last Feb. 2.
Last week, two off-duty soldiers in civilian clothes and riding a motorcycle were taken by NPA rebels in Makilala, North Cotabato.
Separately, three soldiers were taken by NPA rebels in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon. The three soldiers were also unarmed and in their civilian attire when they were snatched.
Their lifeless bodies were later found along the road in a remote village in the city.
“While we grieve for the untimely demise of our soldiers, we condemn this inhuman act in its highest form. These attacks on unarmed soldiers is a manifestation of the NPA’s wanton disregard for the ongoing peace talks,” Guerrero said.
Major Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division covering the Caraga and Northern Mindanao areas, said the NPA was insincere in the peace talks with the government.
He cited the killing of three of his soldiers by the NPA in Bukidnon.
“Is this what they call achievement of ‘just peace?’ How can these NPA say they also want peace if they still continue to kill with impunity, continue to burn construction and production equipment and kill innocent people?” he said.
Madrigal said the incident “will not hinder us to continue our mandate, that is to protect our people and secure their communities against any threat.” – With Christina Mendez, Michael Punongbayan, Gerry Lee Gorit, John Unson, Ramon Efren Lazaro, AP
Duterte disclosed his decision in a speech yesterday, two days after New People’s Army rebels announced they would end their ceasefire effective Feb. 10, citing the government’s refusal to release 400 political prisoners and accusing the military of encroaching into rural NPA strongholds.
A frustrated Duterte lamented that he had done his best to forge an enduring agreement and the communists had wasted a “golden opportunity” for peace.
“Last (Thursday) night, I decided to lift the ceasefire,” he told the crowd at the launching of a solar-powered irrigation system in North Cotabato.
Duterte said the government’s unilateral ceasefire would end last night as he ordered soldiers to “clean your rifles and be ready to fight.”
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it is ready to resume offensives against the NPA following the President’s announcement.
“We will go after the NPA to prevent them from conducting atrocities and criminal activities against the public. And we will hit them hard,” AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año declared.
“We shall abide by the President’s order of ending the unilateral ceasefire. It is unfortunate that the gains of the last six months would come to a halt because the CPP-NPA again resorted to the use of violence and chose arms to advance their interests,” he said.
Duterte cited the “unreasonable demands” of the communists regarding the release of more political detainees that apparently caused the breakdown in peace talks.
“To continue with the ceasefire will not produce anything. I guess peace cannot be realized within our generation,” Duterte said.
The NPA on Wednesday declared they are terminating their unilateral ceasefire after accusing the government of failing to release all political prisoners and encroaching on rebel-held areas.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its military arm, the NPA, said the ceasefire that began Aug. 28 would expire Feb. 10.
The rebels and the government had separately declared a ceasefire as they resumed peace talks.
Duterte stressed he freed rebel leaders as a concession aimed at fostering the peace talks but added the CPP-NPA and the National Democratic Front (NDF), the umbrella group representing the rebels in negotiating peace with the government, raised excessive demands that may upset the military.
“I went out of my way to release as many of their leaders to allow them to participate in the talks in Oslo. Now there is this demand to release some 400 political prisoners, I could not do that because it is already tantamount to the granting of amnesty,” Duterte said.
He explained the granting of amnesty is usually allowed following the success of peace negotiations.
Duterte said he had to weigh the expert opinion of his advisers to arrive at the decision.
“I do not own the Republic of the Philippines. I do not decide alone. I consult people, particularly the military,” he said.
Duterte, a self-styled socialist who was swept to power in elections last year, restarted peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF that had been on and off for 30 years.
The two sides separately declared ceasefires in August, and the informal arrangement largely held as they continued discussions in Rome last week.
But the CPP-NPA-NDF rejected government overtures to sign a formal ceasefire and peace settlement this year, warning such a pact was unlikely to be achieved before 2019.
Duterte on Thursday criticized the rebels for rejecting his government’s formal ceasefire offer and for insisting that he free hundreds of jailed rebel leaders.
While the military has publicly endorsed the peace talks, Duterte suggested the support was qualified.
“Don’t push me against the wall because the military might not like it, and if the military ousts me or kills me you’ll have nobody to talk to,” Duterte said.
In bad faith
Duterte lamented the rebels are talking peace with the government in bad faith.“They said they are breaking off, so we’ll follow. I lost six soldiers and one officer. That was why last night (Thursday) I decided to break off too. I told General Año that there will be no more ceasefire. I lifted the ceasefire effective tonight (last night),” Duterte said.
Earlier in the day, government chief peace negotiator Silvestre Bello III declared they are expected to sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement and come up with the final peace agreement before yearend.
“That is why on April 2-7 we will be back in Oslo to talk about the most important issue on social and economic reforms to address the causes of our problems,” Bello told a forum in Bulacan yesterday.
But Duterte said he was forced to break off the ceasefire after receiving reports of “systematic attacks” by the NPA against government forces even before their declaration to scuttle their own ceasefire next Friday.
“I realized that peace with the communists cannot be realized within our generation. They said Feb. 10, but they have been ambushing our troops then and there, even before their deadline,” he said.
Duterte said that he really tried his best to forge a peace agreement with the communist rebels. “I went out of my way, walked the extra mile just to look for the opening to find peace for my country. I may not be the most decent person but I entered into this in good faith, in looking for peace. But with the way things are now, we cannot have a peaceful generation,” he said.
Duterte stressed his administration would have been the golden opportunity for the rebels to make peace.
“I come from the Left and that they should have taken advantage of my being president. But they didn’t,” he added.
“And now they want another 50 years in war, to keep on fighting. What do you want? Another 50 years? Let it not be said that I did not try hard,” the President said.
“I don’t want us to kill each other but under the circumstances, with my troops getting killed, we have to resume (offensives) anytime,” he said
Lock and load
The AFP said they are ready to resume offensives against the NPA following the President’s announcement.“We will comply with the commander-in-chief’s order and guidance,” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.
“We are saddened by the series of violent activities and the loss of the peace investments and dividends from the momentary duration of peace we had since August,” Padilla said.
Padilla said the violence committed by the NPA in the past few days was “very disturbing,” considering the government was still pushing for a joint ceasefire declaration.
Año, for his part, noted the last four days since Sunday were “disdainful and disturbing,” considering NDF chief peace negotiator Fidel Agcaoili was assuring the public through the media that the CPP-NPA-NDF will continue the unilateral ceasefire.
Año said CPP-NPA was doing the opposite by attacking soldiers who were doing community support and development works.
Despite the lifting of the ceasefire on the part of the government, Año assured the public that the AFP would continue to support the peace talks and find a permanent peaceful solution to the four decades-long conflict.
“We hear the people’s clamor for peace and are willing to work hard to attain it, but it is unfortunate that the CPP-NPA-NDF chooses to play deaf,” he said.
Down the line, Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero issued a directive to the troops to be on alert for possible attacks from the NPA.
“Alert troops for possible attacks. Protect the communities from criminal acts of extortion, burning of equipment, abductions, liquidations and other forms of atrocities,” Guerrero said.
He said all units under Eastmincom are now on active defense posture.
The NPA has been active in the region under the Eastmincom.
Suspected NPA rebels snatched two soldiers in a remote village in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat last Feb. 2.
Last week, two off-duty soldiers in civilian clothes and riding a motorcycle were taken by NPA rebels in Makilala, North Cotabato.
Separately, three soldiers were taken by NPA rebels in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon. The three soldiers were also unarmed and in their civilian attire when they were snatched.
Their lifeless bodies were later found along the road in a remote village in the city.
“While we grieve for the untimely demise of our soldiers, we condemn this inhuman act in its highest form. These attacks on unarmed soldiers is a manifestation of the NPA’s wanton disregard for the ongoing peace talks,” Guerrero said.
Major Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division covering the Caraga and Northern Mindanao areas, said the NPA was insincere in the peace talks with the government.
He cited the killing of three of his soldiers by the NPA in Bukidnon.
“Is this what they call achievement of ‘just peace?’ How can these NPA say they also want peace if they still continue to kill with impunity, continue to burn construction and production equipment and kill innocent people?” he said.
Madrigal said the incident “will not hinder us to continue our mandate, that is to protect our people and secure their communities against any threat.” – With Christina Mendez, Michael Punongbayan, Gerry Lee Gorit, John Unson, Ramon Efren Lazaro, AP
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