Gov’t, NDF OK 27-day nationwide ceasefire

By Mar T. Supnad

PALAYAN CITY – The government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) have agreed on a 27-day nationwide ceasefire.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the ceasefire started Thursday and will end Jan. 15.

This, after a top military general urged Monday the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army to  declare bilateral ceasefire in geo-hazard prone areas in the country  “to prove their real concern to the Filipino people.”

  

Brig. Gen.  Gregorio Pio Catapang, commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, aired the appeal to rebels following statement made by the CPP/NPA in Mindanao they were declaring ceasefire in provinces severely hit by Yyphoon Pablo recently.    

 “I am challenging them (rebels) to also declare bilateral ceasefire to all geo-hazard areas throughout the country to let the government forces extend more assistance to the people without being harassed by the armed groups of CPP/NPA,” said Catapang.

  

By doing so, the Army general said, the public in such areas can be given assistance without fear of encounter between  government forces and rebels.

               

“Bakit kailangan pang antayin  natin na may mga mamamatay muna sa kalamidad bago ideklarang mga rebelde ang ceasefire sa mga lugar natatamaan ng matinding bagyo; dapat ideklara nila ang tigil-putokan din sa lahat na identified na geo-hazard areas sa boung bansa para walang sagabal ang pagtulong sa mga calamity areas sa bansa,” said Catapang.

The area of responsibility of Catapang includes  Central Luzon, Region 1 Northern Luzon and parts of Davao where a battalion of his men are deployed.

Dubbed “living hero” for his heroism during the EDSA 1 revolution, Catapang said people need economic development, decent jobs and a peaceful community as the  insurgency problem in the country is waning.

Government data showed that the death toll brought about by typhoon Pablo in Mindanao reached to more than 1,000 while more than 800 persons were missing and presumed dead.