NDFP slams AFP 'ceasefire violation' in Cotabato attack vs. Reds

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) has accused the military of violating a unilateral ceasefire for attacking a New People’s Army (NPA) unit in Makilala, North Cotabato over the weekend.

In a statement on Monday, NDFP peace panel chair Fidel Agcaoili said the attack could be “the last straw that may force the hand of the NDFP leadership to rescind its own unilateral ceasefire.”

Agcaoili claimed the rebels were already trying to "evade the AFP to prevent a gunbattle" but military troops still "pursued the Red fighters for an entire day in an obvious attempt to provoke fighting."

“The [NDFP] vehemently condemns the AFP attack on an NPA unit in Makilala, North Cotabato on January 21 as a serious breach by the military of the unilateral ceasefire declaration of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP),”  Agcaoili said.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Agcaoili claimed the incident in Makilala was just one of many violations the AFP, the 39th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army in particular, committed since the government declared a unilateral ceasefire on August 20.

The NDFP said one of its guerilla members was killed in the supposed attack.

Agcaoili said the NPA Regional Operational Command in Southern Mindanao reported that the 39th IB sent peace and development outreach program teams which occupied barangay halls, health centers, and schools in Kidapawan City and the towns of President Roxas, Magpet, and Arakan.

Agcaoili added the same battalion mobilized troops and paramilitaries for combat operations in far-flung areas which resulted in alleged extrajudicial killings and forced evacuation of civilians and peasant families.

In a separate report on Baltanghali, Agcaoili was quoted as saying the NDFP was already drafting a letter of protest regarding the incident in Makilala which would be submitted to the government.

He also speculated that several forces were out to derail the ongoing peace talks with the Philippine government in Rome, Italy.

"It’s ground for speculation no, pero parang may nananabotahe kasi this thing happened while the peace talks are ongoing here in Rome," Agcaoili said.

Agcaoili pinned the blame on several advisers of President Rodrigo Duterte. "Apparently yung mga tao niya on the ground, or at the cabinet level or sa security cluster, do not seem to agree with him," Agcaoili said.

'Untenable' ceasefire

Meanwhile, Agcaoili claimed the AFP continued to breach the unilateral ceasefire despite the communist rebels' commitment to it.

"The NPA has consistently demonstrated its strict adherence to the NDFP’s unilateral ceasefire and commitment to the peace negotiations by actively maneuvering to avoid armed encounters with the AFP," Agcaoili said.

"The AFP, on the other hand, has done nothing but provoke the NPA and mock the GRP’s own ceasefire through its unceasing combat operations," he added

Agcaoili said the incident in Makilala brought a strong sentiment among NDFP members that the unilateral ceasefire has become "increasingly untenable due to the widespread and intensified militarization and AFP clearing operations,” Agcaoili said."

GMA News Online has sought the AFP's comment on the matter but it has yet to respond as of posting time. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process likewise has yet to issue a statement.

Joint agreement

For his part, government peace panel chair Silvestre Bello III said passing a bilateral ceasefire agreement, and not a ceasfire withdrawal, would prevent future armed encounters.

"Kung mayroong joint agreement na kung saan ay nakalatag ang definition ng violation, definition of what would constitute a hostile act, at malalaman dun kung sino ang magiging referee kung sakaling may violation. Kailangan talaga may bilateral ceasfire na," Bello said.

However, Bello said the government was prepared to investigate the claims of the NPA as soon as they receive a formal complaint.

"Wala pa kaming natatanggap eh. Kasi alam naman nila kasi na hindi sila makapag-claim ng violation because walang definition kung what would constitute a violation," he said. — MDM, GMA News