FILE PHOTO: New People’s Army
MANILA, Philippines — The unilateral ceasefire declared by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is meaningless and for propaganda only, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año.
Ano added that the real reason for the declaration is to give the CPP’s armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), a chance to beef up their forces.
“Ito po ay isang malaking kalokohan. Huwag na nilang gamiting dahilan ang kapaskuhan sa pagkukunwari nila na magtitigil-putukan sila sa panahong iyon gayong alam naman nating magpapalakas lang sila ng puwersa (This is a big sham. They should not use the Christmas season for their supposed truce when we know they’re just reinforcing their group),” he said.
Just like the Department of National Defense (DND), the DILG is also not keen on recommending to President Rodrigo Duterte the declaration of a holiday ceasefire with the communist rebels.
Año said the NPA would also just use the truce to launch an attack against government troops.
“Hindi natin pahihintulutan na muli naman tayong mahulog sa bitag. Nakita na natin sa mga nagdaang panahon ang kawalan ng sinseridad ng mga komunista at ng kanilang front organizations (We will not allow ourselves to fall into the same trap again. We have seen time and again the insincerity of the Communists and their front organizations),” he said.
The DILG Chief insists that if the CPP is truly sincere on pursuing peace, its founding chair, Joma Sison, should return to the Philippines and meet with the President. — UNTV News & Rescue
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