The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) “can go ahead” with its plenum after it was initially canceled because of reported tension between the military and the group’s armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), in Surigao del Norte, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Office of the Secretary of National Defense / MANILA BULLETIN)
Media reports said that the annual plenum of the CPP, which aims to gather the leaders of the CPP, NPA, and National Democratic Front (NDF), in Bacuag town on Sunday night had to be called off.
A certain Ka Oto, self-proclaimed spokesperson of the Guerrilla Front 16, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Command, said elements of the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) were deployed in the area before the start of the assembly, thus, leaving them no choice but to order the cancellation of the event.
Reacting to the issue, Lorenzana said, “So they have a plenum? They can go ahead.”
Lorenzana reiterated that a holiday truce between the national government (GRP) and the CPP – NPA – NDF remains in effect from December 24, 2019 to January 7, 2020.
“Our troops are not prohibited from doing their other duties such as law enforcement and assisting the local populace,” he said.
“What the ceasefire prohibits them from doing is to engage the NPA in combat. Our troops will, however, react in self-defense,” he added.
Ka Oto claimed that the situation on the ground remains volatile despite the existing ceasefire with the troops.
The Communist official then blamed the military for the situation as he said the Armed Forces of the Philippines “is an unwilling party to the ceasefire.”
Lorenzana answered fuming mad, saying that it was the Communist rebels who displayed their insincerity when they ambushed withdrawing troops in Camarines Norte and Iloilo on the first day of the truce, resulting in the death of a soldier and wounding of eight others.
“Look who is talking! They, members of the terrorist CPP-NPA, are the peace spoilers. They prostituted and violated every ceasefire that has been declared,” Lorenzana said.
“If there is any group that has faithfully and dutifully observed ceasefires, that is us. Even if soldiers were treacherously attacked by these criminals and extortionists during humanitarian mission, they abided by the truce,” he added.
“Undeniably, the CPP-NPA is the party against ceasefires,” he conluded.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Duterte had allowed the attacks on troops slide as he decided to continue the unilateral and reciprocal ceasefire.
A certain Ka Oto, self-proclaimed spokesperson of the Guerrilla Front 16, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Command, said elements of the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) were deployed in the area before the start of the assembly, thus, leaving them no choice but to order the cancellation of the event.
Reacting to the issue, Lorenzana said, “So they have a plenum? They can go ahead.”
Lorenzana reiterated that a holiday truce between the national government (GRP) and the CPP – NPA – NDF remains in effect from December 24, 2019 to January 7, 2020.
“Our troops are not prohibited from doing their other duties such as law enforcement and assisting the local populace,” he said.
“What the ceasefire prohibits them from doing is to engage the NPA in combat. Our troops will, however, react in self-defense,” he added.
Ka Oto claimed that the situation on the ground remains volatile despite the existing ceasefire with the troops.
The Communist official then blamed the military for the situation as he said the Armed Forces of the Philippines “is an unwilling party to the ceasefire.”
Lorenzana answered fuming mad, saying that it was the Communist rebels who displayed their insincerity when they ambushed withdrawing troops in Camarines Norte and Iloilo on the first day of the truce, resulting in the death of a soldier and wounding of eight others.
“Look who is talking! They, members of the terrorist CPP-NPA, are the peace spoilers. They prostituted and violated every ceasefire that has been declared,” Lorenzana said.
“If there is any group that has faithfully and dutifully observed ceasefires, that is us. Even if soldiers were treacherously attacked by these criminals and extortionists during humanitarian mission, they abided by the truce,” he added.
“Undeniably, the CPP-NPA is the party against ceasefires,” he conluded.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Duterte had allowed the attacks on troops slide as he decided to continue the unilateral and reciprocal ceasefire.
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