ILOILO City – The 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army is calling on the New People’s Army (NPA) to help fight the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
But how?
The rebels should respect the unilateral ceasefire order of President Rodrigo Duterte by not launching offensive operations, according to Army Captain Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the 3ID.
Instead of attacking government troops and vital government installations, it would be better for the rebels to just go home and observe quarantine, said Pancito.
“That is how they can help fight COVID-19. For our part, we are ensuring peace and order,” he stressed.
Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire from March 19 to April 15. He directed the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), to cease and desist from carrying out offensive military and police operations during the ceasefire period.
According to Duterte, through this ceasefire, the Philippine government aspires that the swift provision of public health assistance goes unimpeded.
The movement of health workers and medical supplies to communities, as well as of people in need of immediate medical attention, must also be unhampered, he added.
“All our troops are standing down now but remain vigilant. We have stopped offensive operations. The rebels, on the other hand, should stay in their respective houses and not discredit what our troops are doing at quarantine control points. Huwag na lang silang umalis sa kanilang bahay,” Pancito said./PN
