Engaging in another peace talks with Reds ‘pointless,’ Esperon says

From GMA News (Jan 7, 2020): Engaging in another peace talks with Reds ‘pointless,’ Esperon says (By ANNA FELICIA BAJO)

For National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., engaging in another round of peace negotiations with communist rebels is pointless.

"We have had many attempts to end the conflict with the communist terrorist group since 1986 with over 40 rounds of peace talks conducted and with the same people as negotiators," Esperon said in his position paper on Tuesday.

"But for the longest time, the peace talks were only used as a period to rest when badly beaten, seek reinforcements, and initiate recruitment. Engaging in another round of peace talks after all these years and all our efforts without significant changes is therefore pointless," he added.
Esperon clarified that his objection to the peace talk was not because of the report that he was included in the supposed "kill list" of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) nor because of the attacks of the communist rebels in the security forces' posts.

"What is objectionable is when the NPA (New People's Army), surely under the command of NDF (National Democratic Front) and CPP, attacks or ambushes civilians as they did in Barangay Libuton, Borongan City, Eastern Samar last December 13, 2019," Esperon said, adding that this act was clearly a violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/721344/engaging-in-another-peace-talks-with-reds-pointless-esperon-says/story/