DWDD: Resume Negotiations || Government Requires Compelling Reasons to NPA

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Feb 21): Resume Negotiations || Government Requires Compelling Reasons to NPA



As the government finally revealed the ‘four compelling reasons’ required to the National Democratic Front for the resumption of the peace talks after President Rodrigo Duterte had canceled the talks due to the atrocities done by the rebel groups.

According to presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, there should be a sensible reason provided by the National Democratic Front (NDF) in order to resume peace negotiations with the government after Pres. Duterte rejected their demand. NDF’s demand is said to be similar to the grant of amnesty. Insisting that the government must free the 400 rebels whom they are claiming to be political prisoners. This has also become the main reason why peace negotiations between both parties are scrapped.

Last February 4 when Duterte terminated the peace talks and has ordered for the arrest of all members of NDF who joined the negotiations. He then described the NDF, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and their armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA) as “terrorists”.

Abella also added that the communist should agree to a bilateral ceasefire and also put an end to the ambushes, the arson incidents, their revolutionary tax collection and other provocative and violent actions.

On the other hand, the CPP stated that their revolutionary forces are encouraged by the previous statements of President Duterte about freeing political prisoners within 48 hours once the requested bilateral ceasefire agreement is signed. Thus, the CPP had ordered for the release of the 6 prisoners of war as a gesture of their support with the bilateral ceasefire. – CAT

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/02/21/resume-negotiations-government-requires-compelling-reasons-to-npa/