Resumption of talks remains in hands of Reds: Duterte

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 17): Resumption of talks remains in hands of Reds: Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte said Saturday he is not averse to the resumption of the peace negotiations with the communists.

While he is grateful for the safe release of SPO2 George Rupinta by the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Command (PBC), the President emphasized the resumption of the peace talks remains in the hands of the Communists Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

“Yung mensahe ninyo sa akin for the resumption of the talks, let me say this very carefully…sa inyo ‘yan eh (Your message to me for the resumption of the talks, let me say this very carefully…it’s on you),” he said, recalling the time he conceded to their (communists) demands since he became mayor.

Duterte said the communists should also consider the position of the military and the police, who invested their lives in fighting the insurgency.

There are also things he has to clear with the leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate, periodically, he added.

“So that is how it operates here. Now, if you want to resume the talks, I am not averse to the idea, but let me sort out first the other branches of government,” he said in a press conference after Rupinta was presented to him on Saturday evening at Matina Enclaves.

The President noted he made decisions to continue the negotiations like the release of about 25 prisoners of war, referring to the political prisoners, who are serving as consultants to the NDF peace panel for the peace negotiations with the government.

The political prisoners were released on government conditions. He said there are some which he cannot concede alone “because I am not the only one in control of this government”.

He added he came to a point of appointing people from the left to join the government.

"Gusto kong maglagay diyan (I want to put them there) because I have to hear both sides. Ang problema kasi (But the problem is), while we are talking, there’s full of threats about countryside positioning, deployment of New People’s Army soldiers, and that…),” he said.

Duterte also said the removal of some leftist members of the Cabinet was not his decision.

“Hindi naman tama sabihin na I torpedoed. Kung halimbawa i-torpedo ko (It is not correct to say that I torpedoed. If for example I torpedoed) why would I go into a rigmarole of appointing you every time they are rejected or bypassed by Congress?),” he asked.

Duterte also recalled he had been apologetic every time he stepped on the rebels' shoes. However, when they ambushed a Presidential convoy, no apology came from the NPA.

“And every time that I break bread with you, I am so courteous,” he added.

Rupinta, of the Lupon Municipal Police Station, was abducted by the NPA last June 9, 2017 in Barangay Langka, Lupon, Davao Oriental. He was released on September 15 in Barangay Sangab, Maco, Compostela Valley Province and turned over to Rev. Socrates Ibol of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Duterte thanked Exodus for Justice and Peace for facilitating his release.

“They are always there all the time whenever there is a release of POW. They consider it prisoner of war,” he said.

“I should say that I see it that all prisoners of war have been treated well in accordance with the Conventions of Geneva. And for that, I also would like to acknowledge their (NPA rebels) respect for the law,” he said.

If Rupinta was killed in the hands of the NPA rebels, Duterte said there would be problems. But the President was not ready to talk peace again.

“Pag-usapan natin ‘yan ng masinsinan (Let’s talk about it). Do not be in a hurry because we have been fighting for the last 50 years. And you just cannot ignore that period of violence and killing on both sides,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1009755