No Lenten truce with Reds

MANILA, Philippines — There will be no ceasefire with communist rebels this Holy Week, the defense department said, as security forces are on alert to prevent untoward incidents during the holidays.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said security officials have not discussed a Holy Week truce with the rebels.

“I don’t think there will be (a ceasefire). We have not discussed this at Cabinet level nor between the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police),” Lorenzana said in a text message to The STAR yesterday.

He is also not in favor of suspending offensive military operations against the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the communists.

“I have not gotten any guidance from the President. I am not also recommending a ceasefire,” Lorenzana added.

Earlier media reports said communist rebels have declared a unilateral ceasefire from March 28 to April 1 to allow Filipinos to observe the Holy Week peacefully.

The peace talks between the government and communist groups collapsed last year after the NPA staged a series of attacks against soldiers and policemen.

President Duterte heaped the blame on the rebels, who he said are pushing for a coalition government under a power-sharing arrangement that would violate the Constitution.

Duterte also raised doubts on the rebels’ sincerity, citing their attacks that harmed civilians, aside from their alleged extortion schemes against businesses.

However, he raised the possibility of resuming the peace talks earlier this month if the two sides come up with a ceasefire deal.

Sixty-one members of the House of Representatives have filed a resolution calling for the revival of the talks but presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza said a resumption would only happen if there is an “enabling environment.”

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the government would continue to “exhaust any and all means to achieve lasting peace” despite the cancellation of the peace talks with the rebels.

“Even without the peace talks, the government’s efforts at forging peace with communist rebels have been gaining ground, as evidenced by the surrender of NPA fighters,” he added.