After a period of pessimism on the prospect of peace with communist rebels, the government over the weekend hinted its desire to return to the peace table with the National Democratic Front (NDF).
In a speech last Saturday, President Duterte said he is still open with the idea of resuming the stalled fifth round of peace talks with the NDF. However, the President told communist rebels to take it easy not only on the resumption of talks but also on the demand for reforms.
“Let’s talk about that intensively. Do not be in a hurry because we have been fighting for the last 50 years, and you just cannot ignore that period of violence and killings on both sides,” Duterte said.
“The fact alone that I cannot operate by myself would indicate that there is something more to be done, that there is more than what meets the eye. There are things which [have] to be done, [and] we have to clear it with the [House] Speaker and the Senate President,” he added.
“Now, if you want to resume the talks, I am not averse to the idea, but let me sort out first the other branches of the government,” the President said.
Duterte was in Davao City to meet with SPO2 George C. Rupinta, a former prisoner of war of the New People’s Army (NPA). The President thanked the NPA for releasing Rupinta safe and sound, recognizing the act as a “humanitarian gesture” on the side of the communist rebels.
Negotiations with the NDF in May were suspended after the Communist Party of the Philippines issued an order to the NPA, its armed wing, to heighten offensives and accelerate recruitment. The directive was in response to the martial-law declaration in Mindanao.
The rift was further severed when communist rebels in August attacked a convoy of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in Arakan, Cotabato. Five PSG units and a militiaman were killed in the ambush, prompting Duterte to instruct the government panel to cease from negotiating with the NDF until the NPA stops attacking military operatives in Mindanao.
Taking a cue from his superior’s remarks, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto C. Abella last Sunday said all the President ever wanted is “sustainable and lasting peace”.
“In spite of the President’s firm position to protect the nation from violence and terrorism, his fundamental goal is sustainable and lasting peace, which, in this case, begins with addressing the social injustice as the historical root of conflict,” Abella added. So, does that mean the stalled fifth round of peace talks will resume anytime soon?
“To resume talks necessitates President Duterte to consult first with the members of his security cluster, considering the many lives lost, civilian and government property destroyed before returning to the negotiating table with the [NDF]. The President, likewise, has to confer with the other branches of the government regarding matters [requiring] their consent or approval,” Abella said.
Duterte’s remarks came days after the left has cut its alliance with the government, highlighted by the decision of the Makabayan bloc, the seven-member coalition of militant lawmakers, to leave the House majority. The left is also scheduled to stage a massive demonstration on Thursday to protest the spate of killings under the Duterte administration.