Holding peace talks in PH a deal-breaker, says NDF consultant

Holding the peace talks here in the Philippines between the government and the communist rebels is surely a deal-breaker, a National Democratic Front (NDF) peace consultant said Tuesday.

NDF consultant and Philippine Peace Center Executive Director Rey Claro Casambre warned that many people would die if the peace talks would happen in the country.

“Personally I do not think it is negotiable. Maraming mamamatay (Many people will die). At saka (And) it will not work, it will not work, it is the formula for destroying the peace negotiations, ultimately. It’s a recipe for destruction,” Casambre said in a press conference in Quezon City.

“I think so, yes,” the consultant said when asked if Philippines as a venue for the peace talks would be a deal-breaker.

READ: Peace talks doomed if held in PH – Joma Sison

Casambre cited the 1987 incident when the peace talks were held in the Philippines where Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) underground cadres who went above ground were arrested.

The Mendiola Massacre, where 13 were killed and scores were injured, prompted the NDF to pull out from the talks.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing Monday that holding the peace talks in another country may no longer be needed.

“Hindi naman po kinakailangan pa na mangibang-bayan para makipag-usap para sa kapayapaan lamang dahil tayo naman pong lahat ay Pilipino,” Roque said.

(I think we no longer need to go in foreign lands to talk about peace because all of us are Filipinos.)

READ: No more third-party facilitator in peace talks with Reds – Palace

NDF negotiating panel legal counsel Rachel Pastores said it is important to hold the talks in a neutral, foreign ground sponsored by a third party facilitator to ensure fair and balanced negotiations.

“You’re involved in the process because you’re a Filipino. By being Filipino yourself you are already involved in the process,” Pastores said.

The fifth formal round of the peace negotiations was supposed to commence on June 28 in Oslo, Norway as agreed during the two parties’ backchannel talks. But it was postponed by President Rodrigo Duterte last week, citing the need for more consultations with the public about the peace process.

The panels were supposed to talk about the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms, which serves as the heart of the peace process, as well as other substantive agenda such as bilateral ceasefire. /je