Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared Monday a unilateral ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
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Duterte, whose anti-drug campaign has been linked to a spate of summary executions and bloody police operations, reportedly said he is ready to stake his honor, his life and the presidency to ensure the success of his war on drugs.
The talks collapsed after his government rejected the rebels’ demand to release scores of their jailed comrades, whom they regard as “political prisoners”.
“We expect the CPP-NPA-NDF to reciprocate”, said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
In his SONA that lasted for an hour and 38 minutes, Duterte was also quoted as saying by Philippine Star that human rights should never be used to protect drug offenders.
Jorge Madlos, or “Ka Oris”, the recently designated spokesperson of the NPA National Operational Command, said this was only their initial response to Mr. Duterte’s ceasefire declaration.
Padilla expressed hope that the ceasefire declaration would become permanent and be reciprocated by the communist groups, which have been fighting the government for nearly 50 years.
The President said a ceasefire was intended “to immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities and provide an enabling environment conducive to the resumption of the peace negotiations”.
In a nationally broadcast address to the joint session of Congress, Duterte said he would pursue a diplomatic solution to the Philippines’ dispute with China over territory in the South China Sea after an global tribunal recently ruled in favor of Manila – a decision that angered Beijing.
Duterte said it is his “goal and dream” that before he steps down from power by 2022, there is already “permanent and lasting peace” with the leftist rebels.
Although the police and the military were on “red alert”, the protesters said they were there to support the Duterte programme of government.
Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief, said pursuant to the declaration of unilateral ceasefire by the Commander-in-Chief, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Gen. Visaya has directed all Commanders of Unified Commands, Major Services, and AFP-Wide Service Support Units to immediately observe the SOMO.
“By the end of my term I hope and pray to hand over an economy that is much stronger characterised by solid growth, low and stable inflation and dollar reserves, and a robust fiscal position”, he said.
“It must not stymie our industrialisation”, Duterte said.
The communist rebellion has killed about 30,000 people since the 1960s.
“The reservists will be mobilized for information campaign against drug use and the dissemination of information regarding drug rehabilitation programs being offered by the government”, Duterte reportedly said.
The budget for his address, normally a top event on the social calendar of the country’s political and showbiz elite, was scaled back dramatically and Duterte told guests to dress down, reflecting his disdain for opulence and lavish spending.
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“The sheer number and problem will drown us”, he said. A rebel leader in self-exile in Europe, Jose Maria Sison, plans to fly home soon to meet Duterte, his former student in a Manila university.
