Eastmincom to support peace talks resumption
THE Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) expressed its willingness to adhere to President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to resume peace talks with the communist insurgents.
Eastmincom Public Information Officer Major Ezra Balgatey said yesterday that they will fully support their commanderin-chief in reviving the peace negotiations in an effort to end the decadeslong insurgency problem of the country.
“The Eastern Mindanao Command is supportive to any program of the government to achieve peace. After all, that is what we are fighting and working for,” he said.
He added, “The President’s pronouncement on his willingness to resume the peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF is a manifestation of his sincerity and how he is exhausting all possible legal means to achieve peace.”
Before returning to the peace table, President Duterte has asked the rebels to stop their arson activities, ambuscades, and collection of revolutionary taxes.
“Likewise, we are also one with the President in his call to the CPP-NPA to show sincerity and good faith by following the conditions he set forth,” Balagtey added.
It can be recalled that last year, the President ordered the termination of peace talks with the communist insurgents following the series of attacks that the latter perpetrated against the government troops and civilians. The president also issued a pronouncement tagging the NPA as a terrorist group.
However, last Wednesday, he ordered Peace Secretary Jesus Dureza to work on the resumption of peace talks with the New People’s Army and “give this [peace talk] another last chance.”
“President Duterte directed during the Cabinet meeting today to work on the resumption of peace talks with the CPPNPA-NDF with clear instructions on the importance of forging a ceasefire agreement to stop mutual attacks and fighting while talks are underway,” Dureza said in a statement.
On Tuesday, April 3, Duterte expressed openness to possible resumption of peace talks and ceasefire with the communists as soon as their armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), ends its unlawful acts.
“I’d like to address myself first to the NPAs. You know, we’re not enemies. Even though I want to fight you, my heart says I could not kill my fellow Filipinos... Let’s talk about peace and stop killing,” Duterte said. “We can talk. Stop revolutionary government. Do not burn properties... In the meantime, if you really want to really negotiate with us, you stop immediately. You and I will have a ceasefire,” he added.
Earlier, some members of the NPA torched 10 heavy road building equipment in Davao City during the observance of Holy Week and one backhoe in Talaingod, Davao del Norte on Monday. JCR