Philippines rejects rebels’ condition for cease-fire
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine defence chief on Tuesday rejected a demand by communist guerrillas for government troops to withdraw from rebel-influenced communities in the countryside for the insurgents to extend a monthslong cease-fire.
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said troops would continue to be deployed in all rural areas where they have to suppress lawlessness and added that the New People’s Army guerrillas cannot claim any part of the country as their territory.
“They always say we are encroaching on their area. What areas are they talking about?” Lorenzana said.
“The president says you don’t have any area,” he said, addressing the Maoist guerrillas. “This is the Republic of the Philippines.”