Duterte to CPP: Explain NPA ambush in Davao
LUCENA CITY, QUEZON — Following the ambush of government militiamen staged by New People's Army rebels on Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday threatened to lift the unilateral ceasefire he declared during his first state address.
Speaking to the troops of the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) here, Duterte said he called a leftist congressman and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, chairman of the negotiating panel of the government, to demand an explanation from the Communist Party of the Philippines on the incident in Davao del Norte.
"Sabi ko, ‘Ano ba ito, are we in into this truce or are we not?’ Sabi ko sa kanila, ‘Give me an answer by tonight because kapag tomorrow, wala, tatanggalin ko, balik tayo sa away’,” Duterte said.
“If you do not honor or you kill a single soldier or a CAFGU, which is also a soldier of the Republic, eh sabi ko kalimutan na natin ito. Fight na lang. I am demanding an explanation from the CCP,” he told the soldiers at SOLCOM.
Duterte added that those responsible on the government side will also face disciplinary action. Members of the Cafgu Active Auxillary on Wednesday were attacked by the rebels, killing one militiaman and injuring four others.
“Kung nagkasala kami rito, we punish our men and women sa serbisyo. Expect the same and I demand an answer na kung sino ang nagkasala, they must also put under disciplinary action. Otherwise, wala tayong pinag-usapan. That is my deal,” he said.
Duterte arrived here in Lucena 3 p.m., more than three hours later than his scheduled time of arrival. He was welcomed by more than 400 troops from the AFP and the Philippine National Police.