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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Duterte appeals to NPA for ceasefire amid COVID-19 crisis

Duterte appeals to NPA for ceasefire amid COVID-19 crisis

Published Mar 16, 2020 12:00 am
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos President Duterte asked the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to cooperate with the government as the country deals with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis. In his address to the public Monday evening, Duterte asked the communist rebels to practice "social distancing" with the government. President Rodrigo Duterte (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) President Rodrigo Duterte
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) "Kayo ba NPA nagmamahal kayo sa gobyerno? Social distancing tayo. Ceasefire muna tayo. Ako na ang humihingi (Do you NPA guys love the government? Let's practice social distancing for now. Let's have a ceasefire. I'm asking you now)," he said. "Kindly cooperate. Tumulong muna kayo. Magbayanihan kayo (Help us for now. Let's help each other)." According to the President, he will be sure to repay the rebels if they take part in the fight against the disease. "If you want to be at all times in talking terms, kindly cooperate. Mas mabuti pa tumulong muna kayo (It would be better if you help us for now). I will repay you with a good heart in the coming days," Duterte said. President Duterte on Monday placed the entire mainland of Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine as the number of confirmed COVID-19 positive patients reached 142. The quarantine will last until April 12, 2020. In his message, Duterte asked the public, especially those covered by the quarantine, to cooperate by staying in their homes and not go out and possibly transmit the disease. "Mahirap kasi itong COVID-19 is (This COVID-19 is a difficult situation) --- even the mere contact of the skin and if you do not take the precautionary measures then you will get it and you will die," he said. "Baka nga minamaliit ninyo ‘yung problema at contact kayo nang contact, and suddenly sabay-sabay itong puputok then we will have a problem. Talagang problema ito (Maybe you're belittling the problem and you keep on interacting with other people. When this gets big, then we will have a problem. This is really a problem).”
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