Bato welcomes Reds' declaration of ceasefire amid COVID-19

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on Wednesday welcomed the Communist Party of the Philippines' declaration of nationwide ceasefire amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation.

"Very welcome development and I thank them for that. I hope that after this pandemic they will continue to side with humanity," Dela Rosa said in a message sent to reporters.

"Ideologies, nationalities, races, religions and other barriers should be set aside in this global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Together we will win this fight," the former chief of the Philippine National Police added.

The CPP on Tuesday declared a unilateral truce from March 26 to April 15 "to ensure and facilitate necessary, unhampered, and immediate medical, health and economic assistance, support and movement of the people."

Prior to that, President Rodrigo Duterte requested the communist group for a ceasefire amid the implementation of an enhanced community quarantine.

"Ceasefire muna tayo," Duterte told rebels in a televised address.

"I will repay you with a good heart," he added. —LDF, GMA News