Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said that the restoration of the unilateral ceasefire is not yet effective until the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines have informed their respective forces and the Parties agree on a specific date.
Various groups lauded the resumption of the peace talks as agreed by the government and the National Democratic Front during the two-day informal talks held in Utrecht, The Netherlands from March 10 to 11.
President Rodrigo Duterte lauded the Philippine Military Academy “Salaknib” Class of 2017 and called on them “to defend the motherland with all your honor and might.”
Duterte said the Philippines could live without mining even if the mining industries contribute to government funds about P70 billion a year in taxes.
The killing and wounding of two soldiers in Surigao del Norte on Wednesday evening was a result of a misencounter between government troops, an NPA spokesman said.
The peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines is back on track, according to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, in a statement issued Sunday.
Church leaders are calling for the government troops to declare a suspension of military operations for the safe release of two soldiers held captive by the New People’s Army in North Cotabato province.
Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said they would uphold human rights in case President Rodrigo Duterte declare Martial Law in Mindanao.
In a statement released Friday night, Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the NPA Southern Mindanao Operations Command said the NPAs carried out an order “to exact revolutionary justice” against a certain Marlon Lomantas at 2:20 am whom they claimed is a former military man “turned active intelligence agent of the 39th IB and a known drug trader” in Barangay Sibayan.
Some local officials who were present Thursday when President Rodrigo Duterte made a statement that he will declare Martial Law if they will not help him curb terrorism and violence in Mindanao viewed it more as a “challenge” than a threat.
