STATEMENT OF THE DILG ON PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE'S DECLARATION OF UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE
Secretary Eduardo M. Año
March 18, 2020
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A CORRECTION IN THE COPY SENT EARLIER.
THE OFFICIAL DILG STATEMENT WILL READ AS FOLLOWS.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) welcomes President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's declaration of a unilateral ceasefire against the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) which shall take effect on March 19 to April 15, 2020 at this time of public health emergency.
With the said declaration, I hereby direct the Philippine National Police (PNP) to terminate all on-going and planned offensive police operations against the Communist Terrorist Groups in all parts of the country and, instead, focus all efforts to stop the spread of the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19).
The Philippine National Police, during the period of the unilateral ceasefire, shall strictly implement the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon and the prohibition of mass gatherings and other anti-COVID measures in other parts of the country and are to maintain a defensive stance in all of its counter-terrorism undertakings. Active defense operations shall only be undertaken in the face of clear and imminent danger and actual armed attack by hostile forces.
The PNP must direct all its efforts in ensuring peace and order in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, including the task of securing entry and exit points, ensuring that people abide by the quarantine and social distancing measures; and assisting local government units in their anti-COVID-19 programs, among others.
Maraming salamat po.
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