Duterte again open to grant of amnesty to rebels

DAVAO CITY – President Duterte raised anew the possibility of granting amnesty to communist rebels in the near future.

“I would want to grant general amnesty to the rebels if Congress will approve,” the President told mediamen in a gathering at the Matina Enclaves Residences here Friday night.

But the President was quick to point out that the amnesty would not apply to those with criminal charges.

Duterte said he wants to help the rebels improve their lives instead of continuing to fight the government.

The President even offered the rebels jobs should they come down from the mountains and abandon their fighting.

Duterte said he is even considering providing the communist rebels housing units.

Duterte also said he is open to reviving the peace talks between the government and the communists as long the leftist insurgents sign a unilateral ceasefire to ensure there will no longer be any attack on government forces or civilians.

Enabling environment

The lack of skirmishes between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (NDFCPP-NPA) could be a sign of an “enabling environment” that could lead to the resumption of peace talks between the two sides.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said Friday Duterte has openly expressed in the past days his openness to resume the talks that were cancelled in July due to continuous attacks by the NPA.

Duterte had mentioned amnesty in the past as NDF consultants were released to participate in the talks. He also appointed two Cabinet members recommended by the NDF but they were rejected by the Commission on Appointments.

“When he says it, that’s it. So why are you still trying to analyze? We will let you know. We cannot disclose it yet. But we take guidance from the President’s statements that he is open again to negotiate if the other side is eager also to engage,” Dureza said in an interview on the sidelines of the opening of the two-day conference on peace and the prevention of violent extremism in Southeast Asia held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Dureza emphasized that part of the work of his office is to continuously find ways and means to continue the peace process. But he refused to elaborate on their moves, saying peace processes were sensitive.

Talking and fighting can be done, he said, but “it is not so welcome to the public.”

“The public will not understand it. They will ask why are you talking (peace) while you are fighting on the ground? What is that? What kind is that? Although we in the negotiations, we can talk and fight,” Dureza said.

“But you also have to take into account how the public will react to it. That is why the President has made very strong decision of cancelling it. And then right now, you may have observed the fighting has died down. Maybe that is the enabling environment that we are waiting for. Just wait,” Dureza said.