AFP, PNP thank Duterte for decision not to have ceasefire with Reds

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for his decision that there will be no ceasefire with the communist group for the rest of his term.

In a press statement issued Tuesday, AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo reiterated that the military did not recommend a holiday truce due to the supposed insincerity of the communist rebels.

"We are thankful to the Commander-in-Chief for heeding the AFP’s recommendation not to declare ceasefire this holiday season and beyond—not because we do not want peace, but because what we advocate is a genuine and lasting peace that we cannot achieve through a peace pact with the NPA that is notoriously insincere and unworthy of public trust," Arevalo said.

In his Monday public address, Duterte also mentioned that there would be no resumption of peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front, the negotiating arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

“I would say the ceasefire is dead and the peace talks between the NDF, NPA, pati ’yong isali na rin natin legal front nila. Pati kayong lahat, I am identifying you because I have seen the records. You are really communists," Duterte had said.

The AFP has been saying that in the previous years, communists continue with their hostile activities despite the ceasefire. These include attacks on soldiers and civilians as well as their extortion activities.

The military also claimed that the peace negotiation was only used by the rebels to recruit new members.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police also expressed support to the decision of the President, noting that it will continue its operations against communists.

"We supported that statement of our President. The same pa rin, nandiyan lang 'yan... Maski naman may SOMO (Suspension of Offensive Military Operations), we are just on the defense mode, kung wala, tuloy po 'yung mga operation natin..." PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas said at a press briefing.

Last year, the Philippine government and the communist group both declared a ceasefire during the holiday season. It lasted from 12 a.m. of December 23, 2019 until 11:59 p.m. of January 7, 2020.—AOL, GMA News