Palace says no stand-down agreement with communists

PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. on Monday, June 18, said there is no standdown agreement between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Communist Party of the Philippines (NDFP-CPP).

This, after the CPP-NPA released over the weekend a copy of a stand-down agreement that it said it signed with the government as proof that both parties are serious in the resumption of the peace talks.

“Wala pong stand down agreement. Anyway, wala pa naman pong resumption of peace talks. I’m sure kung magkakaron ng resumption of peace talks that would be considered,” Roque said in a press conference on Monday, June 18.

(There is no stand-down agreement. Anyway, the peace talks have not resumed. I’m sure that if the talks resume, that would be considered.)

The document released by the communists showed that both parties agreed to stand down in consideration of the forthcoming peace talks. It was signed on June 8 and bears the signature of NDFP Chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili and Labor Secretary Silvestro Bello III.

During the press conference, Roque assured the public that the President has always given top

priority to peace talks and has not given up on the process at all amid the postponement of its formal resumption.

Proof to this, he said, is the President’s order to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file the necessary motions in court for the release of the NDFP consultants.

The peace negotiations is set to formally resume on June 28, according CPP founding chairman

Jose Maria Sison, but Duterte on June 14 said he was not ready to approve the government panel’s return to the negotiating table.

The President said the peace panels will continue its negotiations in mid-July.

Roque stressed that the peace agreements with the CPP-NPA must be all inclusive and must pass the test of both legal and political scrutiny.

“The delay in the talks with the communist insurgents is indispensable if we are to have an agreement that will pass these tests,” stressed Roque.

Roque advised Sison to stop making pronouncements and wait for the government to brief the nation on developments on the peace negotiations.

“Pwede sila mag-address sa kanilang ka-tropa but let’s keep the matter being discussed dun the peace talks in the ears of the negotiators,” Roque said, adding that the administration finds it “irregular” that the NDFP has taken the role of the government to inform the public.

Roque also stressed that the President wants the venue of the peace negotiations to be transferred here in the Philippines.

He, however, said that there is no official communication sent to the Norweigan government as to the transfer of the venue yet.

“Im hopeful that with the sincerity shown by the government, venue should not matter,” Roque said. SunStar Philippines