Despite taking a more pro-active stance against the New
People's Army with the lifting of the unilateral ceasefire Saturday, the AFP is
still hoping that a more lasting and just peace will come out in the Aug. 20 Oslo , Norway
This was stressed by AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto
Padilla in briefing Monday.
"Despite our pro-active stance, the AFP remains
supportive of the peace process (and) we hopeful that a long and lasting peace
(will come out of the Oslo
Padilla said this elusive peace is the long-time dream of
the soldiery and the populace, very tired of this drawn-out conflict.
However, he also clarified that despite this desire for
peace, the AFP is committed to carrying out its constitutionally mandated task
of protecting the people and country's sovereignty.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared the unilateral
ceasefire against the rebels during his first State-of-the-Nation Address last
July 25 in line with achieving the government’s goal of final and lasting
peace.
But the Chief Executive ordered the lifting of the
unilateral ceasefire after the 5:00 p.m. Saturday ultimatum he gave lapsed
without reciprocation from the rebels.
“Correspondingly, I am ordering the Armed Forces of the
Philippines and the Philippine National Police to also withdraw the operational
guidelines they issued in pursuance to that ceasefire declaration,” Duterte
stressed.
Prior the deadline, the President demanded a concrete
explanation from the rebels regarding its July 27 attack against militia units
in Kapalong, Davao Del Norte which killed one and wounded four others.
"The NPA have missed a golden opportunity to manifest
their commitment to the attainment of our citizen's much sought peace
throughout the land," Padilla said.
"This could have been what the Filipino nation had been
waiting for -- the silencing of the guns that could have hastened development
especially in the countryside. As things now stand, the AFP will abide by the
ensuing orders of the Commander-in-Chief President Rodrigo Duterte following
this development," AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya said.
"I am ordering all our forces to resume their normal
mandated tasks and work to neutralize all threats to national security, protect
the citizenry, enforce the laws and maintain peace in the land," he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=909366
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