PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said he will hold a meeting first with the police and the military to discuss the government's possible declaration of unilateral ceasefire with the communist rebels.
Speaking to reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony of the P700-million drug rehabilitation center in Bukidnon, the President said he has to consult Congress leaders, the National Security Council (NSC), and the government forces before declaring truce with the communist rebels.
"You know, there is only one president but that Office of the Presidency is not controlled by me at all. I mean, there is nothing that as an absolute decision, especially if it involves the interest of the country,” Duterte said.
“Especially the military and the police, I will call for a meeting and ask them about the [declaration of ceasefire] – whether or not it would be good at this time again,” he added.
On Saturday, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said it is set to issue its interim declaration of unilateral ceasefire before March 31.
The CPP said the end of hostilities with the current administration would pave way for the resumption of peace talks between the two parties from April 2 to 6 in the Netherlands.
Duterte earlier scrapped the peace negotiations with the communist group after it lifted its ceasefire with the government. The peace deal was however revived following the successful back-channel efforts held early March.
Despite this, the Chief Executive apparently could not move forward with the communists' lifting of unilateral ceasefire with the government, stressing the possible “aberration in the system of talking about peace,” if he reciprocates the truce outright.
He then reiterated his preconditions with the communists, such as the release of all of their hostages and end of their extortion activities, in order for him to make amends with them. (VoxPop Philippines)
