NOW that the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) are finishing the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), some
“doves” in the administration of President Benigno Aquino 3rd are seriously
pushing for the resumption of peace negotiations with the Communist Party of
the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
A well-placed government source confided to The Manila Times
on Wednesday that “informal” talks are ongoing between government agents and
NDF representatives to explore the possibility of resuming the stalled peace
negotiations between the two panels.
“There are hawks and doves in the administration. Some want
to continue the peace talks with the Left while others don’t. However, if we
can do that with the MILF [Moro Islamic Liberation Front], why not with the
Left?” the source said.
He named one prominent politician, a former activist, who is
now trying to broker peace with the communist group. The source, however,
requested that the politician, a former mayor from Luzon ,
not be named so as not to jeopardize the outcome of the discussions.
“In fact, NDF panel member Fidel Agcaoili attended his
[politician] birthday party recently,” he added, stressing that the “peace
broker” is capable of doing the job.
The source noted that the recent turnover to Interior and
Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas 2nd of four policemen previously held
captive by the NPA was a “confidence-building gesture” on the part of the
CPP-NPA-NDF.
Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Quintos-Deles said they
are aware of “several” ongoing efforts to have the negotiations with the Left resumed.
But she clarified that these talks are still “not official.”
“We know of several tracks of exploratory discussions now
ongoing but nothing official. Once anything becomes official, we will certainly
inform the public,” she told The Manila Times in a text message.
Like The Times’ source, Deles said they are cautious in
dealing with the matter because too much public attention may erode exploratory
negotiations.
Nevertheless, the Palace official said she is hopeful for
the “exploratory” discussions to succeed.
“We are always hopeful and we welcome any initiative to
reopen the talks,” she stressed.
Malacañang spokesman Edwin Lacierda admitted that while
there are still no formal negotiations to speak of, there are indeed informal
discussions.
“When you’re talking of exploratory talks, you’re talking of
leading to formal [talks]. I’m not aware. But there have been informal
discussions,” he said in a news briefing.
Lacierda confirmed that Roxas and Deles have mentioned the
ongoing efforts in the past.
“Well, that’s what Secretary [Deles] and Secretary [Roxas]
already mentioned previously,” Lacierda added.
He, however, explained that the informal discussions cannot
even be described as “exploratory,” explaining that “when you speak of
exploratory talks, it’s part and parcel of formal talks.”
“Certainly, the formal talks have not happened yet,”
Lacierda pointed out.
Meanwhile, he said the arrest of retired general and former
Bantay party-list Rep. Jovito Palparan was not aimed at “pleasing” the NDF.
“It’s inaccurate to say that the arrest [was] done to please
the NDF. It was based on the [intelligence report] provided by the AFP [Armed
Forces of the Philippines
After the arrest of Palparan, the government peace panel in
talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF issued a statement expressing its elation over the
fall of the former military commander.
“The government peace panel for the negotiations with the
Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front
welcomes the arrest of retired Major General Jovito Palparan Jr. today,
International Humanitarian Law Day,” the statement said.
“The arrest is a triumph of law enforcement and the
Philippine justice system. Although it has taken eight years to capture him,
the apprehension of Palparan demonstrates the determination of the State to
enforce the rule of law and negate any assertion that this administration
tolerates impunity,” it added.
But Lacierda said the statement should not be taken to mean
anything other than the panel welcoming the arrest of Palparan.
“I think you should not put more color to that. It’s just a
statement of the [government] panel on that,” he added.
http://www.manilatimes.net/peace-talks-reds-next/118807/
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