Gov’t panel confronts NDFP over ambush
MANILA — The government peace panel confronted the National Democratic Front of the Philippines following reports that suspected New People's Army (NPA) guerillas attacked government troopers in Davao del Norte.
Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said government peace panel chairman Silvestre Bello III talked to NDFP panel Fidel Agcaoili regarding the tragic incident in Davao del Norte last Wednesday.
Agcaoili, however, said that he was informed that the NPA has been on active defense mode since July 26, a day after President Rodrigo Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels.
"It is disheartening but the NPA failed to respect the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Duterte last Monday during the SONA," Abella said in a press briefing on Friday.
The NPA's attack in Davao del Norte left one Citizen Armed Force Geograph MANILA ical Unit member dead and four others wounded.
The government peace panel is still awaiting the result of the NDFP's verification regarding the incident, Abella said. "Agcaoili further said that just like (Duterte), the NDFP is committed to resume the peace negotiations to address the roots of the armed conflict towards a just and lasting peace as reiterated in the 15 June 2016 Oslo joint statement that affirms all past agreements," the presidential spokesperson said.
Abella reiterated the president's call to the communist rebels to reciprocate the government's declaration of a unilateral ceasefire.
Meanwhile, NDF peace negotiating panel chair Luis Jalandoni yesterday said they welcomed the administration's unilateral ceasefire and share its commitment to lasting peace, but it will take "a day or two" to really know what happened in Davao del Norte.
"What happened there in that exact incident, we have to find out and we stated that we cannot get it in such a short time of a few hours. We have to get the report from the side of the NPA in the area so that it will be an accurate check on what really happened," he said.
President Rodrigo Duterte gave the CPP and the NDF only until Thursday night to explain reports that five CAFGU members were ambushed by their members.
Jalandoni said they have reported to Duterte that the CPP's declaration of the ceasefire is "forthcoming," and the NPA throughout the country is now on 'active defensive mode.'