NPA ceasefire withdrawal contradictory as other rebel factions claiming truce still in place -- AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1): NPA ceasefire withdrawal contradictory as other rebel factions claiming truce still in place -- AFP

As the New People's Army (NPA) announced the lifting of its unilateral ceasefire Wednesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said there is something contradictory about the decision as some rebel factions are claiming that the truce is still in place.

"We heard about the report that the NPA is lifting their unilateral ceasefire declaration effective February 10 through their spokesperson, a certain Ka Oris," said AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo.

"There was also a report quoting NDF (National Democratic Front) chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili that 'there have been no orders from CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army) leadership to revoke its unilateral ceasefire' and hence, 'the unilateral ceasefire remains in place'," he added.

The two statements, Arevalo said, reflect the need for the NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front) leadership to control the actions of their people on the ground.

"The same lack of control led to various infractions of their own ceasefire declaration that disturbed the ongoing negotiations. Notably, ambush of unarmed soldiers that claimed the lives of at least two soldiers and the injuring of several others, and the abduction of another unarmed soldier -– all coming from non-combat activities -– imperil the fragile peace," he added.

The AFP public affairs office chief said the military believes in and would want to give peace a chance.

"The SOMO (suspension-of-military-operation) stays. There will be no combat operations to be launched against the members of the NPA," he stressed.

"We demand the release of Pfc. Salan who was abducted on Jan. 29, 2017," Arevalo said.

In the same vein, Arevalo said the AFP will continue to safeguard the communities from criminal acts of extortion, burning of vehicles, farm and livelihood implements and other forms of criminal and atrocious acts – whoever is the perpetrator.

"We will continue to perform peace-building and development efforts where the people in conflict areas request us to. We will continue to capacitate local government to deliver basic goods and services to their constituents," he said.

"And if ordered by the Commander-in-Chief, we will lift the SOMO. It is our beholden duty to protect our citizens," he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=960143