THE GOVERNMENT on Monday welcomed the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) call for the resumption of the scuttled peace talks, but reiterated President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s demand for “compelling reasons” before the negotiations can continue.
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte gives a speech while Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza looks on at a press conference in Davao City in this photo taken on September 18, 2016. -- www.pcoo.gov.ph
Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza, in a statement, said the state “respects” what it called the “positive position” of leaders of the united communist movement, adding that the government shares “the same commitment to work for just and lasting peace in the land.”
However, the “compelling reasons” that Mr. Duterte previously announced must be “present” for the talks to resume and for the government to “take the necessary steps,” Mr. Dureza said.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella underscored in a separate statement that the Duterte government “has in fact moved closer” to the position of the communist rebels, including the National Democratic Front (NDF), than the previous administrations.
For the talks to continue, Mr. Abella said that the Left must first agree to sign a bilateral cease-fire deal that consists of the following:
1. ceasing of the so-called “revolutionary tax” aka “extortion”;
2. ceasing the ambushes on military personnel;
3. ceasing burning of property; and
4. ceasing provocative and hostile actions.
“Considering the unprecedented goodwill the President has shown, these actions from NDF may provide compelling reason and could put at ease, to some extent, the apprehension of the military and the Administration,” Mr. Abella said.
“We need to take in good faith the President’s vision for a peaceful, just and inclusively prosperous Philippines. He has already taken the first steps forward. We wait for NDF to respond,” he added.
Mr. Duterte called for the cancellation of the talks following reports of encounters on the ground even amid an ongoing cease-fire, which both parties junked at length.
Meanwhile, the communist movement had also expressed frustration with what it called the government’s “broken promises,” including the pending release of around 400 political detainees.
Mr. Duterte has made ending the rebellion dating back to 1968 one of his top priorities as President. He launched the peace process soon after he took office in July last year and appointed three Leftists in his Cabinet.
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=govt-lists-demands-for-peace-talks-resumption&id=140989
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