Leftist rebels do not want lasting peace: military
MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said today that leftist rebel group Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is not really keen on having "just and lasting peace" in the country.
Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan said Filipinos want a reprieve from armed conflict.
"AFP chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista is challenging the CPP to a debate. The CPP should answer why they do not want a prolonged ceasefire or cessation of hostilities," Tutaan told reporters.
Earlier the CPP criticized Bautista who said that the Christmas truce declared by the leftist rebel group was "too short".
"To declare a ceasefire 'to last forever' will only bring forth an eternal hell of military abuses, land grabbing and environmental destruction," the CPP said in a statement.
The CPP declared ceasefire from Dec. 24 to 26 and Dec. 31 to Jan. 2, 2014. The government declared a longer truce from Dec. 21 to Jan. 15, 2014.
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