Sara’s offer of peace to NPA rebels welcomed

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the announcement of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio that she is willing to "offer [her] hand for peace" to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA).

"We welcome the initiative of the Mayor in seeking peace for the city," Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) information officer Major Ezra Balagtey told Sun. Star Davao yesterday.

The mayor issued her statement days after the clash between the government troops and communist rebels in Calinan District that resulted to the death of two soldiers and two NPA members, also displacing hundreds of individuals who were temporarily sheltered in evacuation areas and later returned to their respective homes.

"My only condition, at this point is, I want to talk to them as a group. I will not accept individuals who want to voluntarily surrender, "Duterte-Carpio said.

In a separate interview, Joint Task Force Haribon (JTH) commander Brigadier General Gilbert Gapay told reporters that they are open to revive the peace talks but the NPA must end the atrocities and armed struggle first before proceeding to the negotiating table.

"Pareho naman kami ng gusto, change for the better pero ang paggamit ng armas, diyan tayo hindi magkakasundo talagang tutugisin namin kayo hindi pwedeng gumamit ng violence and undertake atrocities sa ating mga kababayan," he said.

He added that if the ceasefire will continue, the rebels must adhere to the agreement set by the Philippine government and abandon the hostility, show sincerity in the negotiation and wholeheartedly accept the peace process.

"If they will agree to that, why not? If they will bring down their arms then we will again talk peace," he said.

To date, the all-out war against the terrorist group is continuously being undertaken by the military forces to protect the communities and busi-

ness owners against their alleged unlawful activities such as extortion, burning of equipment and abduction.

The CPP-NPA earlier called on the government to reverse their announcement in scrapping the peace negotiation and as gesture of goodwill, the CPP called on the NPA to expedite the release of six prisoners of war (POWs) who were captured in different parts of Mindanao since the communist group lifted its unilateral ceasefire last February 1. JCR