[Anadolu] A top Philippine government negotiator has expressed regret over an attack by suspected communist militants that killed a pro-government militiaman just days after President Rodrigo Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a statement that it was "disheartening" that the New People's Army "failed to respect the unilateral ceasefire."According to the military, NPA militants belonging to Guerilla Front 34 in southern Mindanao attacked a Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit in a village in Davao del Norte province, killing the militiaman and wounding four others Wednesday. Duterte responded by threatening to withdraw the unilateral ceasefire declared during his first State of the Nation Address on Monday.
He instructed Bello, a leftist congressman, to demand an explanation. Bello said that he had spoken with a panel member of the National Democratic Front (NDF) -- the CPP's political wing -- and was informed that as far as Fidel Agcaoili is aware, the NPA has been on active defense mode Tuesday.
Bello said Agcaoli promised to look into the matter, adding that the government would await the results of the NDF's verification. He quoted Agcaoli as expressing the NDF's commitment to resume preparations for upcoming talks scheduled Aug. 20-27 in Oslo.
In his speech Monday, Duterte said he aims for a "permanent and lasting peace" before his term ends in 2022. The CPP welcomed the declaration, but added that the release of political prisoners should follow immediately.