President Duterte is still not ready to resume the government’s peace negotiations with the Communists because of their continued involvement in atrocities against the people.
The President admitted that his administration tried but failed to make peace with the Communist rebels.
President Rodrigo Duterte (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez / MANILA BULLETIN)
“I do not think there will be talks again,” Duterte said in a speech during a recent Philippine Army event in Taguig City.
“I will make peace with the enemies. We have tried. We failed with the NPAs (New People’s Army). I do not think that I’d ever be ready again to talk to them,” he said.
The President recalled that he used to go to the mountains to talk to the communists but lamented their insincerity given their attacks on troops and civilians alike.
Duterte, however, still offered assistance to any rebels who would lay down their arms and surrender to authorities. “Sabi ko sa NPA pagkain, medisina, magbigay ako [I told the NPAs I will give them food, medicines],” he said.
Duterte, however, ruled out giving the rebels any weapons and bullets, saying the military will be the one might run after him.
“Alam mo kung sinong papatay sa akin? Kayong mga army. Pagbaba ko dito, aambushin ako niyan [Do you know who will kill me? You, the Army. When I come down here, you’ll ambush me],” he added.
Early this month, the President ordered government troops to neutralize Communist rebels engaged in atrocities, saying there will no longer be any need to present any court warrant.
Duterte said the government was “not into crime prevention” but “neutralization” since the insurgents were committing rebellion “24 hours a day.”
The government earlier suspended peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), NPA and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) set last June, pending a review of the past signed agreements and public consultation.
Duterte has said peace talks would only resume provided conditions were met such as holding the negotiations in the country, ceasefire pact, no collection of revolutionary tax, and no coalition government.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/10/17/duterte-says-govt-tried-but-failed-to-broker-peace-with-reds/
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