Local talks with NPA to continue despite NDFP rejection

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 12): Local talks with NPA to continue despite NDFP rejection

Despite the rejection of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) on the localized peace talks of Davao City government, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio would pursue the local dialogue with the New People’s Army (NPA).

“Maybe that is their (NDFP) opinion but as the representative of the City Government of Davao, I have a duty to pursue just and lasting peace in the city,” Duterte-Carpio said.

She added that this is her initiative which she believes can attain peace in the city.

“But, it really depends on the NPA if they really want to talk with us,” she said.

Duterte-Carpio said the Local Peace Committee (DC PEACE) is given up to November 30 next year. If there is no progress with the dialogue, she will terminate as there is no point talking with the rebels if they do not want peace in the city.

She said the rebels do not need to surrender their firearms just because she only wants them to work with the government.

The NDFP posted on their website last November 2 that Duterte-Carpio’s local peace talks will surely fail in its aim of dividing the revolutionary forces waging a nationwide people’s war.

It stated that the Duterte regime is wasting time and the people’s money in setting-up these useless local peace committees which will go nowhere and achieve nothing.

“These are mere rehashes of worn-out psywar surrender programs such as the 'balik-baril program' and the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) riding on the popular clamor for peace talks,” the statement said.

The statement said the entire NPA is united under the central leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The Party and all units of the NPA support the Negotiating Panel of the NDFP in its representation of all revolutionary forces in negotiations with the GRP with the aim of forging agreements to settle the outstanding socio-economic and political questions that compel the people to wage armed struggle.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1015650