Leftists to Duterte: Be the peacemaker
Leftist groups urge resumption of peace negotiations between government and National Democratic Front
Members of militant groups Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda), Desaparecidos, and Hustisya staged a rally at the Malacañang grounds and personally handed a consolidated letter asking Duterte to resume the peace negotiations and be the “peacemaker of our time.”
“We write to you, most importantly, as Filipinos who want genuine peace like you do. We are one with the people in calling for the resumption of the peace talks between the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front (NDF),” the letter read.
“We are among those who held much optimism upon the resumption of the formal peace negotiations,” it added.
The letter was received by the Presidential Management Staff at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. It was signed by Selda chairperson Amaryllis Enriquez, Desaparecidos’ Concepcion Empeno, and Hustisya chairperson Evangeline Hernandez.
Duterte scrapped the peace talks between the government and the communists, saying only a “compelling reason” would change his mind.
The militant groups said a compelling reason for Duterte to proceed with the peace talks would be “the people who suffer from the grave injustices in our country.”
“Mr. President, there is no other compelling reason to pursue genuine peace but the people who suffer from the grave injustices in our country. With the rest of the Filipino people, we want the peace talks to continue, and that the problems of landlessness, exploitation and rampant violation of human rights be discussed and addressed,” the activists said.
“We appeal to you not to lose this opportunity to achieve reforms that the people have been yearning for a long time. We ask both parties, and you, Mr. President, to hold on to this aspiration.”
The militant groups asked Duterte not to get “distracted” by the unfortunate events, referring to recent clashes between government troopers and the rebels.
Despite the reported incidents, they stressed that the peace talks “must go on.”
“The peace talks, as an avenue to address the root causes of armed conflict, is very significant to us and the rest of the Filipino people who yearn for real change in our country,” the groups said.
“The Filipino people is with you in this noble endeavor, Mr. President.
Be the peacemaker of our time. History will be on your side. Let us continue the quest for a just and lasting peace, Mr. President,” they added.
Government peace negotiators and NDF consultants were scheduled to meet for a fourth round of negotiations in late February. But Duterte cancelled the talks. He earlier ended the truce with the rebels a day after the NPA announced the lifting of its own ceasefire by February 10 because of Duterte’s failure to release all political prisoners.