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AFP hoping armed rebels will heed CPP announcement of unilateral ceasefire

MANILA, March 30 (PNA) -- With the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) poised to declare to a unilateral ceasefire before the end of the month, the military is hoping that all armed elements of the rebel group will comply with the truce to avoid needless bloodshed.

This was stressed by AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla who noted that the CPP seems to have some difficulty in getting the cooperation of all of its fighters as proven by the spate of unprovoked attacks last February which resulted in the death of six troopers and abduction of three others.

At the time of the said atrocities, both the AFP and CPP were both observing a unilateral ceasefire.

In justifying their attacks, the rebels claimed that they are merely defending themselves from the presence of military units in their territories, a claim which the AFP has strongly denied.

"Hopefully, (all armed elements of the CPP) will obey the announcement of their leadership but as we have witnessed last month, they seemed to have some difficulties in getting their orders followed by all of their members," Padilla said in Filipino.

He added this resistance is brought out by the fact that some rebel groups have expressed their desire to conduct peace talks with local government units and military units operating in their respective areas.

Padilla said the AFP is receptive to this idea as it is more responsive and effective in ending hostilities in local levels. (PNA)
PRIAM F. NEPOMUCENO

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