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Tag: peace talks

Duterte does a delicate balancing act

Duterte announces lifting of unilateral ceasefire July 29. Photo by Rene Lumawag of PPD
Duterte announces lifting of unilateral ceasefire July 29. Photo by Rene Lumawag of PPD

Last Monday, July 25, in his first State- of-the- Nation- Address, President Duterte was applauded when he declared a unilateral ceasefire in the armed conflict with the communist rebels.

He said: “To immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities and provide enabling environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks, I am now announcing a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP/NPA/NDF effective immediately. And call on our Filipinos in the National Democratic Front and its forces to respond accordingly.”

Before the week ended, he withdrew that headline grabbing announcement. At 7 p.m. of Saturday, July 30, Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella read the President’s statement:

Makakalusot ang bagong kasunduan sa MILF sa Supreme Court?

Sa pag-uusap ni US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton kay Gloria Arroyo nang siya ay bumisita ditto sa Pilipinas kamakailan, dalawang bagay ang kanyang binigyan ng diin: matuloy ang 2020 na eleksyon at magkaroon ng kasunduan sa Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Maintindihan ko ang interes ng mga Amerikano na dapat matuloy ang eleksyun sa 2010 dahil kahit gaano nila kamahal si Arroyo, kung siya ay manatili sa Malacañang lampas ng Hunyo 30, 2010, magkakagulo talaga ang bayan.

Kung magkagulo ang bayan, malalagay din sa alanganin ang interes ng Amerika dito sa Pilipinas.