Talks with Reds officially terminated

Duterte, in Proclamation No. 360, cites CPP-NPA-NDFP’s failure to show sincerity

President Duterte has signed Proclamation No. 360 to officially terminate the government’s peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President signed the proclamation Thursday afternoon or less than 24 hours after the Chief Executive said he would order the arrest of non-armed legal fronts for conspiracy to commit terrorism under the Human Security Act (HSA).

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza had ear-

lier announced that all planned talks with the local communists have been officially cancelled following the President's pronouncement that the CPPNPA-NDFP will now be considered as terrorists and criminals.

The Chief Executive also ordered the cancellation of all peace talks and meetings with the CPP-NPA-NDFP.

Roque reiterated that the government has exerted all efforts to pursue the peace negotiations but the communist rebels failed to reciprocate the government's initiatives.

“While we agreed to resume peace talks with the aforementioned group and exerted our best efforts to accelerate the signing and implementation of the final peace agreement, the CPPNPA-NDFP has engaged in acts of violence and hostilities,” Roque said in a statement late Thursday night.

“We find it unfortunate that their members have failed to show their sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine and meaningful peaceful negotiations,” he added.

“The President, as we all know, has always wanted to leave a legacy of peace under his administration. He has, in fact, walked the extra mile for peace,” he continued.

Roque said Duterte, despite terminating the talks, is still hoping for peace to come even if not within his term, leaving it to God's will.

“Rest assured that he will continuously pray that we may all find the peace that we seek for our beloved country in the fullness of God’s time,” Roque said.

In Proclamation No. 360, the President emphasized the administration's commitment to achieve a secure and progressive nation by negotiating and accelerating the signing and implementation of peace agreements with the Reds to no avail.

“In spite of the best efforts exerted by the administration, the CPP-NPA-NDFP failed to show its sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine and meaningful peace negotiations as it engaged in acts of violence and hostilities, endangering the lives and properties of innocent people,” the Proclamation read.

Malacañang on Thursday said they will clarify with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) the President’s order, including the issuance of the formal notice of the cancellation of the peace talks.

On Saturday, the President said he was no longer inclined to resume the peace talks with the Reds, especially after their "intentional" ambush in Talakad, Bukidnon on November 10 which left a four-month-old baby dead.

“No, I am not anymore inclined to [pursue the peace talks with them]. Ayaw kong makipag-usap sa kanila. 'Di lang, nagpapahinga lang mga sundalo ko (I don't want to talk to them. My soldiers are just resting). But we will also go on the offensive,” he said.

The relationship between Duterte and the communist rebels started to turn sour in February when the Reds announced the lifting of their unilateral ceasefire and launched an ambush on three soldiers in Bukidnon.

Since then, Duterte said that he sees no reason for the talks to resume within his term unless there is a compelling reason, even telling the soldiers to “prepare for a long war.”

“I told the soldiers to prepare for a long war. I said it will not come during our generation. I know them already,” Duterte said.

Coalition government President Duterte, in his speech in during the 67th Founding Anniversary of the First Scout Ranger Regiment, said he signed the proclamation because he thinks the Reds seem to want a coalition government.

“As it was shaping up during our talks, I already noticed the trend of the thoughts of the other side. And when I sum it all, reading from all from previous working papers, it will sound like a coalition government,”Duterte said in his speech in San Miguel, Bulacan Friday afternoon.

“That is why I said in the previous days, I cannot give you what I do not own. And certainly, a coalition government with the Republic of the Philippines is pure nonsense,” he added.

In July, 2016, Duterte assured the military of his loyalty, saying he will never agree to a coalition government with the communists.

Under a coalition government, multiple political parties cooperate in one cabinet, effectively reducing the dominance of any one party within that coalition.

Freed rebels should surrender

Duterte reiterated his call for the released members of the communist rebel groups to surrender or face punitive actions as he now considers the Reds to be terrorists.

“I have released about 30, 40 communist leaders from Muntinlupa. Now, I will consider the movement of CPP as a terrorist group ,”Duterte said.

“I am ordering those I have released to surrender or face punitive action. Go back to where you belong,” he added.

“I'll go after you. I don't care whatever happens, whatsoever," he continued.

Duterte had ordered the release of some imprisoned communist rebels, particularly the elderly and those who are sick, as an act of good faith to then ongoing peace negotiations with the Reds.

In July, 2016, Duterte also ordered the temporary release of 11 CPP-NPANDFP leaders to participate in the peace negotiations.

Joma reacts

But CPP founder Jose Maria Sison questioned the capability of President Duterte to handle the “complexities of the affairs of his state” after he announced he is backing out from the peace negotiations.

In a statement released Friday, Sison, who was Duterte’s former professor in Political Thought, criticized the President for using the recent incidents of NPA attacks as a false basis in his decision to no longer pursue the peace talks with the NDFP.

“He cited alleged recent incidents in the armed conflict which he used as false basis for slandering the revolutionary forces and threatening the termination of the peace negotiations and the outlawing of the revolutionary forces and legal democratic forces as terrorists,” he said.

Sison said Duterte should have submitted to the Joint Monitoring Committing (JMC), through the government peace panel his complaints as NDFP did for violations on human rights and international humanitarian law committed by government forces.

Bishops

Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, however, said if communist rebels are really serious in the peace talks, they should order the NPA to stop their criminal activities. Only then, he said, can the peace negotiations resume.

Ozamis Archbishop Martin Jumoad said President Duterte probably saw the lack of sincerity on the part of the communist rebels that's why he terminated the peace talks with them.

Jumoad added that in a dialogue, it is important that both parties show “sincerity and honesty.”

“No betrayal of what has been agreed (upon). If one party does not stick to the agreement, it will be very difficult to restore the trust. It is also very frustrating if one party does not follow what has been agreed (upon),” he said.

But if both want peace, Jumoad said they have to go back to the negotiation table and talk.

Still, the Ozamis prelate said he respects the decision of President Duterte. (With reports from Antonio L. Colina IV and Leslie Ann G. Aquino)