THE Armed Forces welcomed on Friday the decision of President Duterte to ask communist rebels to explain the ambush of militiamen in Davao del Norte, despite the cease-fire that is being observed by the government with the guerrillas.
Duterte gave the rebels until Thursday to explain the attack on a team of Citizens Armed Forces Geographic Unit (Cafgu) active auxiliaries in Davao del Norte on Wednesday, otherwise he would revoke the cease-fire order he issued on Monday and allow the military and the police to resume operations against the communist guerrillas. “That was a welcome move from the Commander in Chief, whose orders the Armed Forces marches onward to the road of combat operations or to the path to peace,” said Col. Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces Public Affairs Office chief.
“By his stern demand for an explanation, President Duterte did not only send strong signals that he is sincere to end the years of strife by being the first to extend the hand of peace; he also underscored that those who truly desire peace must also manifest in unmistakable acts their adherence to that quest,” he added.
A militiaman was killed and four others were wounded in the ambush, which came two days after Mr. Duterte suspended the offensive police and military operations against the New People’s Army (NPA), a gesture that is still to be reciprocated on by the rebels.
Government peace panel chairman Silvestre Bello III expressed sadness over the ambush of government troops, saying it was a disregard of the spirit of cease-fire.
“It is disheartening that the NPA failed to respect the unilateral cease-fire declared by President Duterte last Monday during the State of the Nation Address. Barely two days after this cease-fire declaration,” he said.
Bello said he asked National Democratic Front (NDF) panel member Fidel Agcaoili about the incident and he was informed that, “as far as he knows, the NPA is on active defense mode since July 26.”
Agcaoili, however, promised Bello that he would look into the matter, which the latter responded they “await the results of NDF’s verification on the matter.”
Duterte said the rebels should choose whether they want peace or go on fighting with the government.
Bello asked the guerrillas to respond to the gesture of the government by declaring a cease-fire.
“I strongly reiterate the call of President Duterte to the CPP/NPA/NDF to reciprocate the government’s cease-fire declaration in order to immediately stop violence on the ground; protect our communities from conflict; and provide an enabling environment for the resumption of formal peace negotiations,” he said.