MANILA, Philippines July 30 — Even with the unilateral ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) President Rodrigo Duterte declared on his State of the Nationa Address on Monday, he encouraged the military to stay on alert, saying that they should be involved in assuring the safety of residents in their respective jurisdictions.
The ceasefire declaration is a sign of the government’s goodwill towards the realization of a peace agreement with the rebels.
“As President, I have to seek peace for our country. Not only with the communist insurgency but doon rin sa (but also with the) Muslim insurgency,” he said.
He also reminded the AFP and the PNP not to provoke any elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the NPA as their members are fellow Filipinos who are fighting for an ideology, unlike the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) which is a mere criminal group with no clear ideological agenda attached to its cause.
But speaking before members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Nakar in Lucena City on Thursday, The President expressed his disappointment with the NPA rebels who ambushed a Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in Davao del Norte resulting in the death of a CAFGU member and wounding four others.
“If we cannot honor a ceasefire, let’s just fight!” President Duterte said, calling on the rebel group to investigate and discipline those responsible for the incident.
The President mentioned that government law enforcers who commit infractions are meted penalties, which must also be done among their ranks by those from the NPA, CPP, and the NDF.
The President further reiterated the new role of the military in the campaign against drugs. “We cannot hand over to the next generation this problem on drugs because it reaches far and wide. There is no negotiating with criminals. You have to destroy them. There is no other choice. There is no ideology.”
President Duterte emphasized the need for intensified operations against illegal drug syndicates. He explained that the reason why no “big fish” have been caught is due to the fact that drug lords operate outside the country utilizing state-of-the-art technology to facilitate shipments and distribution. Going after these top-tier personalities would mean an incursion into foreign territory, short of declaring war on the country where these drug lords reside.
Moreover, he said that the $32 million fund, which the United States offered through Secretary of State John Kerry, will be used for national security and the campaign against illegal drugs. He also promised to provide the best armaments to the military for them to be able to carry out their mandate and accomplish their missions, but reminding the soldiers to exercise restraint and calmness. (PND/PCO)