Pres Duterte sets four conditions to pursue peace talks

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 2): Pres Duterte sets four conditions to pursue peace talks

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his visit to 10 wounded soldiers who are in the care of 4th Infantry Division Philippine Army station hospital on 2 April 2017, shared to the media that he is open to peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF in four conditions.

President Duterte said there must be a document in writing, establishing the parameters of the peace talks. First, there must be ceasefire signed in an official document with participation of Norway government whose providing our good offices peace talks to be held there. Second, there must be no extortion or revolutionary tax. Third, they cannot claim any piece of territory or real estate in the republic of Philippines.

And fourth, for the rebels to release all prisoners, whether police, military civilian or government employee.

President Duterte said this fight has been going on for the last 50 years. ‘I hate it, I don’t want it,’ he said. Otherwise, he said he cannot do anything to stop the fight.

Meanwhile, the President declared that government is winning the war. He shared that previously, NPAs surrender without arms. Now, these NPAs are coming down from the mountains and are surrendering.

Currently, the 4ID has recovered firearms and war materials from CPP-NPA-NDF through focused military operations, surrendered firearms and law enforcement support operations.

A total of 18 high powered firearms and 12 low powered firearms were recovered. There were also nine Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) recovered and surrendered to the division.

Further, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Eduardo Año explained that NPAs don’t have the ideology anymore. They are a big syndicate mafia organization with extortion activities.

He said, there is no more communist country in the world. NPA is the only one longest communist inspired insurgency in the Philippines.

Año said that 75% of NPA come from Indigenous Peoples (IPs). Their focus in recruitment are IPs because they can be easily deceived, especially those who have not gone to school. They give all sorts of promises. However, there are a number of NPA surrenderees are IPs also through the support of IP leaders.

Now, program of line agencies are given priority to IPs. He said AFP casualty is 22 all over the country, however, 141 NPA were also neutralized in the country.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2611491137720/pres-duterte-sets-four-conditions-to-pursue-peace-talks