Soldiers slain in Bukidnon was ‘last straw’ for Duterte —AFP chief

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año said the killing of three soldiers in Bukidnon was the “last straw” for President Rodrigo Duterte before he decided to terminate the peace talks with the communists. 

“They killed three soldiers. That was the last straw why the President withdrew the unilateral ceasefire and subsequently the peace talks,” Año said. 

Año, who faced the Commission on Appointments (CA) national defense committee for his appointment to the rank of general Wednesday, was referring to the killing of three soldiers in Bukidnon. 

The military said NPA rebels flagged down the three soldiers, who were on board a motorcycle, in Barangay Kibalabag in Malaybalay, Bukidnon last February 2.

Authorities later found the bullet-riddled bodies of the three soldiers. The military said the victims had a total of 76 gunshot wounds.

Luis Jalandoni, senior adviser of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) negotiating panel, said the incident could have been a “rubout.” 

Año said there is no compelling reason so far to return to the negotiating table with the CPP-NPA-NDF. 

“We respect and abide by the decision of the President to stop the peace talks...For now, we see no compelling reason to go back because for the last six days, there had been disturbing developments wherein the NPA attacked our soldiers,” Año said. 

“Our mandate is to protect the people, secure the communities and we shall comply and do that mandate because we cannot allow armed groups to be conducting atrocities,” he added. 

Año said that until there is a pronouncement from Duterte, the AFP will implement the arrest of NDF personalities who were temporarily released on bail. 

On Tuesday, the government canceled the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) with the CPP-NPA-NDF. 

The JASIG, signed by the government of the Philippines and the NDF in February 1995, guarantees safety and immunity to negotiators, consultants, and other personnel joining the peace talks. —KG, GMA News