No truce with communists even after yuletide season: AFP spox

By Prince Golez

Even after the holidays wrap up, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it would not recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte a truce with the communist rebels.

Spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo had said the armed forces won’t recommend a suspension of military operations against the New People’s Army, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, this holiday season.

“Nagsalita na ang Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas, partikular si ating Chief of Staff, General Gilbert Gapay, na hindi po natin imumungkahi sa ating Pangulo na magkaroon ng holiday ceasefire,” Arevalo said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Sunday.

“’More than that, yung ceasefire, talagang hindi na natin ‘yan irerekomenda even beyond or outside of the holiday season,” he added.

Arevalo pointed out that rebels have shown “insincerity” in their agreement to ceasefire, citing their continued attacks and extortion activities despite truce efforts.

“Sa napakaraming pagkakataon, sa mga nagdaang pagkakataon, hindi naging sinsero o tapat itong teroristang grupong ito, and every time bina-violate nila ang sariling ceasefire na kanilang dinedeklara,” he said.

“Inaatake nila at pinapatay ang mga sundalo, pulis, na hindi naman nagsasagawa ng combat operation,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to make a decision in granting a holiday ceasefire with the communist rebel group.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)