Cebu Archbishop still hoping for peace amid gov’t rift with Reds

CEBU CITY – Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said he is saddened by the recent branding of President Duterte of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) as terrorist groups.

“How we wish the dialogue could have established peace. But now, it’s as if the President is doubtful whether the continuous dialogue will bring about the desired peace,” said Palma Friday evening after the mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

The 67-year-old prelate said he still believes that everything can be done through a peaceful process, although “there are issues that are better left to the study of the government.”

“We now just have to pray that their decisions will be toward a better Philippines,” Palma told reporters.

Early last week, Duterte, due to continued attacks and increase in violent incidents involving communist insurgents, signed Proclamation No. 374 classifying the CPP-NPA “as a designated, identified terrorist organization,” which falls under Republic Act 10168 or the Human Security Act.

These attacks and incidents were also cited by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as one of the reasons to recommend to the President to extend martial law in Mindanao when it expires on the 31st. The National Democratic Front (NDF), however, was not included in the proclamation.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, however, clarified that the proclamation to declare the CPP-NPA as terrorists has yet to go through a legal process before it could even officially take effect.

Aside from declaring them as terrorists, Duterte also ordered the “mass arrest” of NDF consultants, whom he released as an act of good faith in the then ongoing peace talks.

He also ordered the government forces to shoot armed NPAs as they are valid targets, or the government men risk getting shot.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. backed Duterte’s classification of the rebels, saying “it has long been overdue.”