CHECKPOINT. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (in black jacket) visits one of the checkpoints at the border of Metro Manila and Cavite on Wednesday (March 18, 2020). Lorenzana ordered troops to comply with President Rodrigo Duterte's unilateral ceasefire. (Photo courtesy of DND Public Affairs Office)
The Department of National Defense (DND) said on Thursday it will implement the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Rodrigo Duterte as the government exerts efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
This is despite the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army’s (CPP-NPA) record of using ceasefires to attack government and civilian targets, DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a media statement.
"The DND will strictly implement the President’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire with the Communist Terrorist Group, effective 00:00H of March 19, 2020 to 24:00H of April 15, 2020," he said.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
"The enemy, however, has a bloody track record of using the government’s declarations of a ceasefire to launch offensives, ambuscades, destruction of government and private property, extortion activities as well as to recover their dwindling numbers and create a false perception that they still have influence and relevance," Lorenzana said.
He added these attacks demonstrate the CPP-NPA's blatant disregard for the plight of their fellow Filipinos, especially in this time of public health crisis.
"I direct the AFP to temporarily suspend all offensive combat operations against the CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) but to continue normal law enforcement operations in coordination with the PNP (Philippine National Police) in order to maintain peace and order, and sustain activities in connection with the NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) programs involving former rebels' rehabilitation," Lorenzana said.
He also reminded all security forces to be vigilant and defend themselves and the communities in their respective areas against those who will take advantage of the nationwide state of calamity.
On Wednesday, Lorenzana visited police and soldiers manning one of the checkpoints at the border of Metro Manila and Cavite. The checkpoints were put up in line with the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine to contain the spread of Covid-19.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097117
This is despite the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army’s (CPP-NPA) record of using ceasefires to attack government and civilian targets, DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a media statement.
"The DND will strictly implement the President’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire with the Communist Terrorist Group, effective 00:00H of March 19, 2020 to 24:00H of April 15, 2020," he said.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
"The enemy, however, has a bloody track record of using the government’s declarations of a ceasefire to launch offensives, ambuscades, destruction of government and private property, extortion activities as well as to recover their dwindling numbers and create a false perception that they still have influence and relevance," Lorenzana said.
He added these attacks demonstrate the CPP-NPA's blatant disregard for the plight of their fellow Filipinos, especially in this time of public health crisis.
"I direct the AFP to temporarily suspend all offensive combat operations against the CTG (Communist Terrorist Group) but to continue normal law enforcement operations in coordination with the PNP (Philippine National Police) in order to maintain peace and order, and sustain activities in connection with the NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) programs involving former rebels' rehabilitation," Lorenzana said.
He also reminded all security forces to be vigilant and defend themselves and the communities in their respective areas against those who will take advantage of the nationwide state of calamity.
On Wednesday, Lorenzana visited police and soldiers manning one of the checkpoints at the border of Metro Manila and Cavite. The checkpoints were put up in line with the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine to contain the spread of Covid-19.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097117
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.