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12月22日のまにら新聞から

Duterte shortens unilateral ceasefire with Reds

[ 502 words|2017.12.22|英字 (English) ]

President Rodrigo Duterte has shortened the number of days for the Christmas unilateral ceasefire with the communist rebels, Malacanang said on Thursday.

From a 10-day suspension of offensive military operations, the ceasefire with the New People's Army would take effect from December 23, 6pm until Dec. 26,11:59pm and from Dec. 30, 6pm to Jan. 2, 2018, 11:59pm, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.

"Well, the President asked me to announce it on our Cabinet Christmas party. But it is always the President’s prerogative to change his decision. That’s part of Executive power," he said when asked why the supposed 10-day ceasefire was changed.

On Thursday, Roque said the President has decided to declare a unilateral ceasefire with the rebels from Dec. 24 to Jan. 2, 2018 and urged the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front to do similar gesture of goodwill.

Roque said he was not aware why the dates for the SOMO were altered.

Duterte attended on Thursday afternoon the 82nd anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo headquarters. During the ambush interview after the event, the President indicated that he had not made up his mind regarding the truce declaration contrary to what Roque announced earlier in the day.

Roque said Duterte does not have to explain why he changed his decision on the dates of the ceasefire.

CPP founder Jose Maria Sison called the ceasefire declaration as a sham.

He said the NPA would be alert against the possible attacks by the government troops.

Instead of calling the unilateral ceasefire a sham, Roque said the public should be thankful that Duterte is pushing through with the unilateral ceasefire.

"He could have ignored it completely and not declared anything. But I felt it was a right decision because finally, I personally felt it's Christmas with the announcement. If Joma Sison did not feel any spirit of Christmas because of the (SOMO), well, I feel sorry for him...that's what happens when you're not here in the Philippines anyway," he stressed.

Sison is self-exiled in the Netherlands.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza welcomed the ceasefire declaration, saying it is for the benefit of all peace-loving citizens as the world celebrates the Christmas season.

"President Duterte's unilateral declaration is a bold step. It is a clear indication of his unwavering desire to bring sustainable and durable peace in the land despite the cancellation of peace negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF," he said in a statement.

He hoped that the Maoist-inspired rebels would reciprocate the ceasefire.

"Although arrived at unilaterally upon the President's sole determination, it is my personal expectation ? and the public as well, I'm sure ? that the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed organs will extend reciprocity to President Duterte's gesture for peace," he said.

Peace talks with the rebels have been terminated. Duterte even declared the communist group as a terrorist organization due to the atrocities and extortion activities that they continue to commit. Celerina Monte/DMS