Reds to end cease-fire, but peace talks still on

THE COMMUNIST PARTY of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the National People’s Army (NPA), are taking back their joint cease-fire order effective Feb. 11, citing the government’s failure to fulfill its promise to release political prisoners and the military having “taken advantage” by encroaching into their areas.

In a statement posted on the CPP Web site, CPP Spokesman Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos said that the declaration of the interim cease-fire issued by the Central Committee of the CPP (CPP-CC) and the National Operations Command of the NPA ( NPANOC) on Aug. 28, 2016 “is hereby terminated.”

With the announcement and notice to the government, Mr. Madlos said that the cease- fire will effectively expire at 11: 59 p.m., Feb. 10.

However, Mr. Madlos said they still support the ongoing peace negotiations, saying that it is still possible “to negotiate while fighting until the substantive agreements are forged to address the roots of the armed conflict and lay the basis for a just and lasting peace.”

He pointed out that the government has yet to release all political prisoners, which should have been done 60 days after the cease-fire declaration.

“Such was the context why the ( government) panel approached the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) towards the end of October seeking an extension of the CPP/NPA’s declaration with a promise that around 200 political prisoners were set to be released. The Duterte regime failed to fulfill such obligation,” said Mr. Madlos.

The CPP-NPA are part of the NDFP.

The CPP spokesman added that the GRP’s military forces have occupied villages that are “within the authority of the revolutionary government” and that they have “committed widespread violations of human rights.”

Meanwhile, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza said the government is “dismayed” by the NPA’s cease-fire withdrawal amid the “progress” made during the third round of peace talks in Rome, where both sides agreed to “further discuss a bilateral ceasefire in The Netherlands by the end of this month.”

Nonetheless, Mr. Dureza, in a statement, said he will recommend to President Rodrigo R. Duterte that the “government continues to maintain and uphold the unilateral cease- fire to sustain the peace in the communities.”

“This will provide an enabling and conducive environment to the ongoing peace talks. At the same, we will recommend that government forces continue to be relentless in their campaign to protect the civilians from harm and terrorism,” he added.

Mr. Dureza admitted that the situation on the ground has become “untenable to sustain” due to the absence of protocols and guidelines that a bilateral ceasefire provides.

In a separate statement, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said that Mr. Duterte will continue to exercise “strong political will” to proceed with the peace negotiations with the Reds despite their revocation of the unilateral cease-fire.

“[ T] he Department of National Defense will continue to observe the government’s unilateral cease-fire, at the same time enforce the campaign to protect civilians from harm and terrorism,” said Mr. Abella. —