Duterte ends talks with Reds
By Rosemarie A. Zamora
THE GOVERNMENT of the Philippines on Wednesday, Nov. 22, announced the termination of talks with communist rebels.
The announcement came on the heels of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s threats to classify the rebels as terrorists.
“We are hereby announcing today the cancellation of all planned meetings with the CPP/NPA/NDF in line with President Duterte’s directive that there will be no more peace talks with them,” Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza said on Wednesday, referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines, its armed wing the New People’s Army, and their umbrella organization the National Democratic Front.
“Recent tragic and violent incidents all over the country committed by the communist rebels left the President with no other choice but to arrive at this decision. We take guidance from the President’s recent announcements and declarations,” Mr. Dureza also said.
A fifth round of talks between the government and the rebels was cancelled last May following reported attacks on government troops by the NPA.
By September, Mr. Duterte said he was still willing to resume peace talks, urging the rebels to lay down their arms in exchange for jobs.
“President Duterte has taken unprecedented steps and has walked the so-called extra mile to bring peace. However, the Communist Party and its armed elements have not shown reciprocity,” Mr. Dureza said in a statement.
It was reported also recently that the NPA had ambushed a police car in Bukidnon province, killing a police officer and a four-month old infant in a vehicle that happened to be behind the patrol car.
Mr. Duterte, in an interview with reporters on Tuesday, said this incident prompted him to terminate the talks.
“Kung ganun kayo, tapos mag-giyera tayo, pati ’yung mga civilian idadamay natin, eh ’di ’wag na tayong mag-usap. It’s not an entity anymore worth talking to,” he said. (If you continue to do that and we engage in war, and the civilians are getting involved, it would be better if we don’t talk anymore.)
Asked about his planned proclamation on the rebels, Mr. Duterte said “it’s a legal thing that they have to craft,” referring to Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea and Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo.
“There will be no peace negotiations anymore with the CPP/NPA/NDF until such time as the desired enabling environment conducive to a Change in the government’s position becomes evident,” Mr. Dureza said for his part.
Asked whether the government is set to release a formal notice of termination of talks, he said: “Let’s wait for events to unfold.”
But even with this announcement of the termination of talks, Mr. Dureza said they still “remain steadfast and undeterred in our (un)relenting journey for sustainable and just peace.”
