Solon wants Reds’ revolutionary tax resolved before peace talks resume

KIDAPAWAN CITY – One of the issues that need further discussion when talks between the Philippine government and the communist movement resume is the latter’s alleged revolutionary taxation.

Cotabato 2nd district Congresswoman Nancy Catamco said the alleged “forceful” revolutionary taxation of the New People’s Army (NPA) and the non-compliance of government troops with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) can be addressed by creating a local monitoring mechanism while the GRP and the NDF panels talk peace.

The collection of revolutionary taxes is “strong” in the hinterlands, according to Catamco.

Catamco has expressed her support to the move of the Duterte administration to resume the stalled talks with the communists.

In fact, she introduced House Resolution Number 1891, which she passed on May 21.

The resolution supports President Duterte’s move for the talks’ resumption because such move, according to Catamco, is also in support of the people’s peace agenda crafted by the Church and Civil Society for Network for Justice and Peace in the province of North Cotabato.

Catamco said the Church and civil network is composed of multi-denominational churches, which includes the Roman Catholic Church, Methodist Church, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Philippine Independence Church, Islamic Faith Believers, indigenous peoples, and other religious groups.