Army favors peace talks if rebels declare ceasefire

From Malaya Business Insight (Mar 8): Army favors peace talks if rebels declare ceasefire

THE Philippine Army yesterday said it is favorable to the resumption of peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army if the insurgents would declare a ceasefire.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva noted that Army soldiers are in the forefront in the fight against the insurgents. Military estimates placed the NPA strength at 3,700 as of end 2017.

On Tuesday, President Duterte said he is open to resuming peace talks with the communists if they would declare a ceasefire. He said he discussed with Norwegian officials the possibility of continuing the talks.

Norway is brokering the peace talks between the government and the communist-led National Democratic Front.

Duterte terminated the peace talks with the communists in November due to a series of rebel attacks against government and civilian targets.

Last December, Duterte declared the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization. Last month, the justice department asked a Manila court to legally declare the group as terrorist in line with the Human Security Act.

“The Army’s interest is to have a settlement of this issue,” Villanueva said. “If this (peace talks) push through, it’s a good development.”

Villanueva, however, said the sincerity of the communists to talk with the government has to be ensured before talks resume.

“We’ve given them chances in the past but they undermined the (peace) process. We supported the peace process but they undermined the process,” said Villanueva.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Datuin said: “The AFP is for peace and development and will always follow the policy direction of the President and political leaders

“The CPP-NPA-NDF should reciprocate with sincerity in their actions once they declare ceasefire and go back to the negotiation table,” Datuin added.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/army-favors-peace-talks-if-rebels-declare-ceasefire