Palace: It's up to communists to police own ranks

Malacañang is leaving it to the communists to police their ranks to prevent unlawful acts like extortion as the government and the leftist rebels observe a ceasefire in support of the peace talks.

"All announcements and agreements signed in Oslo, Norway are welcome developments for the government and the leftist groups," Communications Secretary Martin Andanar told state-run radio station dzRB Sunday.

"With the other activities purportedly done by the CPPNPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front), it's up to their ranks to manage their activities that are not compliant with the law," he added.

Andanar was asked whether Malacañang is expecting the communists to stop the extortion activities of the NPA, the armed wing of the rebels.

Military officials previously reported that the insurgents have extorted millions from businesses and politicians. According to them, the usual targets of the NPA are mining companies, logging firms and plantations. The rebels were also accused of collecting "permits to campaign" and "permits to win" during elections.

Early this month, the government and the NDF, the political umbrella of CPP and NPA resumed the peace talks in Oslo, Norway and agreed to observe an indefinite ceasefire.

Government and NDF negotiators also reaffirmed all previously signed agreements namely The Hague Joint Declaration of 1992, the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) of 1996 and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) in 1998.

The two sides also agreed to reconstitute the JASIG list after the first document got corrupted. Under the JASIG, rebel leaders who are acting as peace consultants cannot be arrested or jailed while the negotiations are ongoing.