Duterte: No talks with Abu Sayyaf criminals

MANILA (UPDATED) - President Rodrigo Duterte has issued a warning to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to honor the unilateral ceasefire, or he will be forced to cancel the declaration.

Speaking to members of the police and the military in the headquarters of the Southern Luzon Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Camp Guillermo Nakar in Lucena City, Quezon, Duterte said he received reports that five Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) members were ambushed by suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Davao Del Norte.

"Ngayon, mag-isyu ako ng warning sa komunista. I was informed just before I came out na may in-ambush na apat na CAFGU. Isang patay, tatlo 'yung sugatan. Tinawagan ko 'yung kongresista nila sa Left, pati si Bebot (Bello), 'yung negotiator, sabi ko, kausap ko 'yung congressman, sabi ko, 'Ano ba 'to? Are we in this truce or are we not?'" he said.

"Sabi ko sa kanya, give me an answer by tonight kasi 'pag tomorrow wala, tatanggalin ko 'yung (ceasefire), balik tayo sa away. 'Yan ang gusto niyo, eh di (sige). If you do not honor (the ceasefire) and you kill a single soldier or a CAFGU, ay sabi ko, kalimutan na natin 'to. Fight na lang," Duterte added.

According to Duterte, he has already demanded an explanation from the CPP. He also expects the party to put whoever is responsible under disciplinary action, just like what the government does to its erring military personnel.

"Sabi ko, I am demanding an explanation from the Communist Party of the Philippines. And just like us, kung nagkasala kami dito, we punish our men and women sa serbisyo. Expect the same, and I demand an answer na kung sino 'yung nagkasala, they must also be put under disciplinary action. Otherwise, wala tayong pinagusapan. That is my deal with them," he explained.

NDF investigating ambush

Fidel Agcaoili, one of the peace negotiators for NDF, said Thursday in a statement sent to ABS-CBN News that they have talked to chief government negotiator Silvestre Bello, who, in turn, has informed Duterte,

According to Agcaoili, they have asked a top NPA leader to explain what happened in the Davao del Norte attack.

He said the order for NPA members is not to attack but just to be "on active defensive mode".

Duterte: I will not talk with criminals

Duterte said he is willing to talk to rebel groups to ensure peace in the country.

"I have to seek peace for our country. Not only with the Communist insurgency, but doon din sa Muslim insurgency. Mahirap tanggapin na mukhang ang labas niyan eh patawaran ng lahat. Alam ko, medyo, hindi madali tanggapin yan. But as president and commander-in-chief, I have to think of the Republic of the Philippines and the whole of the people of this country," he said.

He, however, clarified that he will not talk with the Abu Sayyaf.

"As I talk to the Communists, I will talk to the MI(LF), MN(LF), all the armed groups there. Hindi kasama ang Abu Sayyaf. I will not talk with criminals. Hindi dapat mag-usap. Only those with an ideology," Duterte said.

"Pero 'yung mga kriminal, wala 'yan. We have to destroy them. There's no other choice. There's no ideology, there's not a program of government for the people. There's no alternative na, sige, kami ang ilagay kasi ito 'yung aming magandang paraan sa gobyerno. Nothing of that sort," Duterte added.

Duterte, during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), declared a unilateral ceasefire with leftist rebels as part of his bid to end Asia's longest running Maoist insurgency.

"To the CPP [Communist Party of the Philippines], let us end decades of ambuscades, we are going nowhere and it is getting bloodier by the day. To immediately stop violence in the ground, restore peace in the communities, I am now announcing a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP-NPA-NDF effective immediately and call on...the NDF and its forces to respond," he said.

READ: Duterte declares unilateral ceasefire with Reds

The President, in a speech in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija earlier this week, also said he will ensure the safety of leaders Jose Maria Sison, Nur Misuari and even Murad Ebrahim in order for the peace talks to proceed.

"So I initiated doon sa Cabinet, talks about peace, and I have to start with releasing the leaders. Not release or anything but safe conduct pass for (Jose Maria) Sison, (Nur) Misuari. Si Murad (Ebrahim), walang kaso. At sabay sabay na lang ang usapan natin towards the end of the year," he said.

READ: Duterte to give safe conduct passes to fugitives Sison, Misuari