‘Ceasefire Violations’ by Military in Mindanao Imperil Talks: NDFP

MANILA – The Communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines accused the Philippine military on Friday of imperiling the peace process by launching what it alleged were violations of the ceasefire.

Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, the spokesman of the NDFP in Mindanao, enumerated today several incidents that he described as “blatant violations” of the mutually agreed ceasefire between Manila and the NDFP, whose panels have been holding peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway, since Feb. 15.

In a statement, Madlos said these alleged violations took place in different provinces of Mindanao. He said that in Bukidnon alone since the start of the ceasefire on Feb. 15, the Philippine military “committed eight counts of ceasefire violations.” These are:

1. In Osmena, Dangcagan, 3 pm, February 15-16: Two truckloads of the 8th IB led by Col. Rico Gapuz and Maj. Canutoy and the PNP, led by PNP Provincial Director Bermudo and Dangcagan Police Chief Inspector Evary Bacunawa, forcibly gathered the people to extract intelligence information;

2. In Sto. Rosario, Kitaotao, February 15: Two truckloads of the 8th IB and two patrol cars of the Regional Mobile Group of the PNP conducted offensive combat patrol. Sto. Rosario is 12 kilometers away from the nearest AFP-PNP-CAFGU camp;

3. In Kauyonan, Kitaotao, February 15: One squad of the 8th IB conducted commando offensive combat patrol in sugarcane fields. Kauyonan is 12 kilometers away from the nearest AFP-PNP-CAFGU camp;

4. In Kalumihan, Kitaotao, February 15: Two truckloads of the 8th IB and two patrol cars of the RMG conducted offensive combat patrol. Kalumihan is about 15 kilometers away from the nearest AFP-PNP-CAFGU camp;

5. In the villages of San Nicolas and Banban, Don Carlos, February 15: One military jeep-load of the 8th IB conducted offensive combat patrol. San Nicolas and Banban is five kilomters away from the nearest AFP-PNP-CAFGU camp;

6. In villages of Bagsak and Pinamaloy, Don Carlos, February 15: One M35 military truckload of the 8th IB conducted offensive combat patrol. Bagsak and Pinamaloy are about four kilomters away from the nearest AFP-PNP-CAFGU camp;

7. On February 15, offensive combat operations, which started on February 10, continued in Quezon, Bukidnon;

8. In Namnam, San Fernando, Bukidnon, 8 pm, February 16: One truckload of the 8th IB re-occupied a detachment site they have deserted for a year.

“These AFP-PNP-CAFGU ceasefire violations, as what they have shown during the recent 18- day ceasefire, put in question the sincerity of the GPH in its endeavor to attain just and lasting peace,” Madlos said. “These ceasefire violations endanger the ongoing peace talks between the NDFP and the GPH and the overall peace process.”

Madlos urged the public to report any violations of the ceasefire, which will end on Feb. 21, the last day of the negotiations.