NPA attack under probe, should not block peace talks —Jalandoni

The National Democratic Front is investigating the attack made by the New People's Army on July 27 against government troops that resulted in the death of one Cafgu member and the wounding of four others in Davao Del Norte.

NDF chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni made the remark hours after President Rodrigo Duterte demanded an explanation for the apparent NPA offensive despite the unilateral ceasefire he declared during his State of the Nation Address on Monday.

Jalandoni said the incident should not be a hindrance to the ongoing peace initiatives between the government and the NDF.

"Yung nangyari noong July 27 kahapon ay iimbestigahin, at as soon as possible makagawa ng report yung NPA at aayusin para hindi maging balakid sa paghanap ng peace negotiations at just and lasting peace," Jalandoni told Jessica Soho on GMA News TV's "State of the Nation."

"Ipinapaabot ng NDF, CPP at NPA kay President Duterte na seryosong seryoso ang npa CPP at NDF na maghanap ng just and lasting peace, ipagpatuloy yung peace negotiations, at umaasa sa pag-release ng mga political prisoners ayon na rin sa dineklara niya, at ayon na rin sa joint statement nung June 15..." he added.

Jalandoni said the NPA had been on an "active defense posture" since July 26, or a day after Duterte declared his unilateral ceasefire. He indicated that the NPA was no longer supposed to launch offensive operations starting that day.

He said the leftist rebels were also expected to declare its own unilateral ceasefire.

The NDF, however, monitored continued military activity in some communities, including those of indigenous people or lumad.

Jalandoni said the NDF is waiting for a report from the NPA as regards the Davao del Norte incident.

"Pwede silang mag resort sa defensive action na pwedeng matingnan na offensive action," Jalandoni said.

Peace adviser Jesus Dureza and several other government negotiators signed the agreement for the release of the political prisoners even before the Duterte took his oath as president.

Following the ambush of government militiamen staged by NPA rebels on Wednesday, Duterte on Thursday threatened to lift the unilateral ceasefire he declared during his first state address.

Speaking to the troops of the Southern Luzon Command, Duterte said he called a leftist congressman and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, chairman of the negotiating panel of the government, to demand an explanation from the CPP on the incident in Davao del Norte.

"Sabi ko, ‘Ano ba ito, are we in into these truce or are we not?’ Sabi ko sa kanila, ‘Give me an answer by tonight because kapag tomorrow, wala, tatanggalin ko, balik tayo sa away’,” Duterte said.

“If you do not honor or you kill a single soldier or a CAFGU, which is also a soldier of the Republic, eh sabi ko kalimutan na natin ito. Fight na lang. I am demanding an explanation from the Communist Party of the Philippines,” he said.

Duterte added that those responsible on the government side will also face disciplinary action.

“Kung nagkasala kami rito, we punish our men and women sa serbisyo. Expect the same and I demand an answer na kung sino ang nagkasala, they must also put under disciplinary action. Otherwise, wala tayong pinag-usapan. That is my deal,” he said.

Jalandoni said Bello had already made contact with the NDF.

"Si Secretary Silvestre Bello... ay kumontak na. Nasagot na siya at sabi niya yung sagot na pinadala sa kanya ay pinaabot nna niya kay President Duterte," Jalandoni said.

"So i hope that will help clarify," he added. —NB, GMA News