Planned talks with Reds scrapped
PNP may likely not declare Christmas truce after Duterte cuts peace talks
All planned meetings of the government with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) have been cancelled after President Duterte scrapped all future peace negotiations with the rebels, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza announced on Wednesday.
Recent tragic and violent incidents all over the country committed by the communist rebels left the President with no other choice but to arrive at this decision, Dureza said.
“We take guidance from the President’s recent announcements and declarations,” Dureza said.
“This is an unfortunate development in our work for peace. Never before have we all reached this far in our negotiations with them,” Dureza added.
On Tuesday night, President Duterte formally announced the cancellation of the peace talks with the local communists, a move fully supported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), led by Chief of Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero.
“I have decided to cut talks with the NPAs,” Duterte said, referring to the communists’ 3,800-member armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).
“You tell the guys there in the Netherlands: I am no longer available for any official talk. Let’s just go to war,” Duterte added Tuesday, referring to rebel leaders living in European exile.
Dureza said President Duterte has taken unprecedented steps and has walked the so-called extra mile to bring peace but the CPP and its armed elements have not shown reciprocity.
“There will be no peace negotiations anymore with the CPP-NPA-NDF until such time as the desired enabling environment conducive to a change in the government’s position becomes evident,” Dureza said.
“We will closely watch the developments.
“We have expressed our deep gratitude to the Royal Norwegian government for its strong support as we also expressed to their officials our regrets for this turn of events,” he added.
No Christmas truce? With the scrapping of the peace talks, Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman, said the first issue that would be addressed by the police leadership is the possibility of non-declaration of the traditional Christmas truce this year.
“The practice before is that we have this ceasefire and we do not take offensive actions. So this time, we will continue our normal combat patrol and anti-insurgency operations,” said Carlos.
Despite the setback, Dureza still expressed hope that the stalled peace will only be temporary so lasting peace could be finally achieved.
“Despite this setback (hopefully, only temporary), we remain steadfast and undeterred in our unrelenting journey for sustainable and just peace,” Dureza said.
“Let’s all stay the course together,” he called on everyone.
Enough of double talk As this developed, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said President Duterte has had enough of the communist movement’s penchant for doubletalk and continued acts of atrocities against the Filipino people.
Lorenzana made the comment following President Duterte’s directive that there will be no more peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF.
In keeping with the President’s guidance, Lorenzana said the Department of National Defense (DND) and the AFP will continue to vigorously pursue operations against their armed components.
“We strongly suggest to the NPA to lay down their arms, surrender, return to society, and be part of the real change espoused by the national leadership,” Lorenzana said.
The PNP, meanwhile, will craft new guidelines on how to go about its operations after Duterte cancelled all future talks with the communist rebels.
The guidelines, he said, will serve as the basis for all PNP commanders in the conduct of law enforcement and anti-insurgency operations during the Yuletide season. (With a report from Aaron B. Recuenco)