Monday, December 30, 2019

Lorenzana to CPP: AFP an unwilling party to ceasefire? Look who's talking

From GMA News Online (Dec 30, 2019): Lorenzana to CPP: AFP an unwilling party to ceasefire? Look who's talking (By ANNA FELICIA BAJO)

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday slammed the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) for supposedly calling the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as an "unwilling party" to the ceasefire agreement between the government and the communist rebels.

"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 in a statement.

Lorenzana, a former military general, said he believes that if there is any group that has faithfully and dutifully observed ceasefires, that was the government's security forces.

"Even if soldiers were treacherously attacked by these criminals and extortionists during humanitarian mission, they abided by the truce," he said.

The Defense chief mentioned the attacks of the communist rebels just few hours after the declaration of the unilateral ceasefire between the government and the communist group.
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"Undeniably, the CPP-NPA is the party against ceasefires," Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana's remarks came after a New People's Army spokesman identified only as Ka Oto said the communist group has cancelled its assembly in Bacuag, Surigao Del Norte due to the presence of government troops in the area.

Ka Oto reportedly accused the military of being an "unwilling party" to the ceasefire.

Lorenzana, meanwhile, said the CPP could still push through with their assembly. "So they have a plenum? They can go ahead. 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," Lorenzana added.

The government and the communist group has declared ceasefire for the holiday season and to create an enabling environment for the possible resumption of peace talks.

The ceasefire will last until January 7. —KBK, GMA News

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