‘Local peace talks will benefit rebels’

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 20): ‘Local peace talks will benefit rebels’

For ex-rebel leader Stephen Paduano and Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., the localized peace talks will benefit and address the concerns of local armed rebels in Negros.

Paduano, who used to be a leader of the New People’s Army in Negros , said yesterday that the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front have suffered ups and downs since 1987, because the rebel movement takes it as a “clear surrender”.

He added that the CPP-NPA will never lay down their guns, as they are bent on pursuing the armed struggle.

“They are using the peace negotiation as a tool for propaganda purposes”, Paduano, who used to be the commander of the defunct Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade, also said.

The RPA-ABB, that was formed in 1998 by disgruntled NPA leaders in Visayas, later entered into a peace agreement with the government.

Paduano said he still believes that the main beneficiaries of whatever peace talks about armed conflict are the local armed rebels.

Marañon joined Paduano and the military in supporting the localized peace talks.

He said that the NDF leaders who are enjoying luxurious lifestyles don’t want peace.

Should there will be peace, they will be losing their sources of livelihood, he added.
Marañon also said they have observed an increasing number of rebels who have abandoned the armed struggle.

Of more than 90 rebels who have surrendered since 2010, five surrendered nine high-powered firearms. The returnees also availed of livelihood and financial assistance from the provincial government of Negros Occidental.

“We have to solve our own problem here” Marañon said.

Former Negrense priest Luis Jalandoni, the NDF peace panel lead negotiator , said NPA units operating in different parts of the country are not authorized to engage in peace negotiations.

Jalandoni said localized peace talks do not constitute a new approach.

“It is actually an old worn-out futile attempt of the reactionary government to split the revolutionary movement and deceive the people,” he said.

Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles had earlier said that the government was pursuing discussions to resume the negotiations using a new approach, that was taken to mean the “localized peace talks.”

Deles said the shift in strategy will focus on the pivotal role of the affected communities and other peace stakeholders.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/June/20/topstory7.htm