Duterte willing to resume peace talks with rebels

President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday, April 3, said the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) is now willing to return to the peace table with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
“In the meantime, kung gusto niyo talagang totohanan (if you really want real peace talks), you stop immediately. You and I, (let us agree on) ceasefire tayo,” the President said.
Mr. Duterte made his remarks during the inauguration of Lisap Bridge Project in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro.
In his speech, the President reiterated that he is not in favor of the NPA’s desire to put up a coalition government.
Once they go back to the folds of the law, the President said they “may create their own political party” and he “will join.”
Mr. Duterte likewise promised to subsidize the peace process.
“I am ready to pay for your hotel accommodation, and I will take care of your expenses,” he said.
“I do not want us to kill one another. Let us just build hospitals and schools. Let us talk,” the President added.
In a statement, NDFP Chief Political Consultant Jose Maria Sison stressed that his party is “sincere” in engaging in peace talks with the government.
The peace process, according to Mr. Sison, is in order for both parties “to obtain comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms to address the roots of the armed conflict and lay the basis for a just and lasting peace in accordance with The Hague Joint Declaration.”
“These reforms and consequent peace are for the benefit of the Filipino people, especially for the toiling masses of workers and peasants who are the most oppressed and exploited and who therefore support the armed revolution.”
DUTERTE’S PRECONDITIONS
In his press briefing at the Palace on March 27, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr. reiterated Mr. Duterte’s conditions for the resumption of the peace talks with the revolutionary party.
The Palace official said “there must be an enabling environment that must be present for the desired resumption of peace talks such as genuine sincerity on the part of the CPP-NPA-NDF.”
“They must cease their hostilities against innocent civilians and government forces; end their extortion activities, violent streaks and wanton killings; lay down their arms and return to the fold of law and restart to live normal lives.”
For his part, Mr. Sison argued: “The Hague Joint Declaration, framework agreement of the GRP-NDFP negotiations, requires that no side can impose on the other side any precondition that negates the character and purpose of peace negotiations. For instance, the GRP cannot precondition the peace negotiations with the surrender of the NDFP.”
“The GRP and NDFP as negotiating parties must comply with agreements already signed and approved by them, such as The Hague Joint Declaration, JASIG, Joint Agreement on the Reciprocal Working Committees, CARHRIHL and others. In resuming the peace negotiations, these agreements must be reaffirmed and followed. Obstacles and hindrances to the peace negotiations must be done way with,” Mr. Sison explained. — Arjay L. Balinbin