Planned peace talks ‘shaky’ over US terror listing of CPP-NPA-NDF; US intervention seen

From Bicol Today (Jun 6): Planned peace talks ‘shaky’ over US terror listing of CPP-NPA-NDF; US intervention seen

“Big brother” US is trying to wield the stick on “little brother Pilipino” on the eve of a much-expected resumption of peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) by tagging the CPP-NPA-NDF as “terrorist organizations”.

“The designation of the CPP-NPA as terrorist organizations by the US State Department, on the eve of the resumption of peace negotiations with the NDFP, is intended to undermine the talks,” Renato Reyes, secretary-general of BAYAN, lamented. “The US once again hopes to use the terrorist listing as a form of intervention in an internal matter.”

Reviewing its historical track record, the CPP-NPA-NDF have long opposed US military intervention in the Philippines.

According to BAYAN, the terror-tag hopes to cast a cloud of doubt even before the talks begin.
BAYAN insists this practice of “terrorist listing” should be rejected. Any form of US intervention in the peace talks should be exposed and opposed by the Filipino people who have long sought a just and lasting peace.

There is no word from due-to-assume President Duterte regarding the US tagging of the CPP-NPA-NDF and his planned agenda to resume peace talks with rebel forces.

The US terror tagging of the CPP-NPA-NDF is veiled threat on Duterte not to pursue with the peace talks, and it indicates that US-Phil relations may not be harmonious.

Peace talks under the Aquino administration was aborted owing to demands by both sides considered as “non-negotiable”, such as release of political prisoners as demanded by the NDFP and from the government side demanding surrender of rebel forces.

“The fact that cabinet posts were even offered by incoming President Duterte to the CPP belies the “terrorist” claims of the US,” BAYAN said.

BAYAN pointed at the US government as the number one terrorist state that has launched wars of aggression throughout the globe, killing millions of civilians.

According to BAYAN, the US carries out drone strikes in violation of international law just about anywhere it wishes. It drops bombs on civilian populations.

The US government, not the revolutionary groups and liberation movements, is the real terrorist, BAYAN said.

http://bicoltoday.com/2016/06/06/planned-peace-talks-shaky-over-us-terror-listing-of-cpp-npa-ndf-us-intervention-seen/