Defense, AFP chiefs clash over Red truce
By Michael Lim Ubac, Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:47:00 07/25/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro declared Thursday that the government was on track toward ending the communist insurgency in two years, rejecting the Armed Forces chief of staff’s proposal for an “indefinite ceasefire” with the rebels to pave the way for the resumption of peace talks.
“Probably, it was just a suggestion but there’s no official policy about an indefinite ceasefire with the NPA (New People’s Army). I for one have not recommended it and as a matter of fact I don’t have any intention of approving any indefinite ceasefire,” Teodoro said.
Arroyo order is clear
“The order of the President is very clear: Make the insurgency irrelevant by 2010 and there should be no interpolations or extrapolations of that directive.”
Malacañang was also quick to rebuke Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Alexander Yano.
“He doesn’t determine policy. He executes,” Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said at a press briefing.
“The present policy is the same—we don’t have peace negotiations with the CPP-NPA-NDF. There were talks before but these were non-agenda talks. So the policy still remains and this has not changed,” Dureza said.
Teodoro was asked by reporters about Yano’s proposal after the mass oath-taking of generals, flag officers and other newly appointed officials in Malacañang.
At Camp Aguinaldo, Yano told reporters that he was only echoing the call of his predecessor, Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., for a three-year truce with communist rebels. Esperon is now the presidential peace adviser.
Yano said that he was proposing instead an indefinite cessation of hostilities similar to the government’s arrangement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Surrender
Teodoro, however, said communist guerrillas battling the government for the last 39 years should instead lay down their arms and avail themselves of the amnesty proclamation, which is pending approval by Congress.
“I’m not keen on talks with the NPA because of the fact that their main reason for fighting is now repealed. No reason for them to revolt because they can take up their cause legitimately,” the defense secretary said.
“They should be dealt with compassionately, but if they perpetuate acts of terrorism, there’s no justification for this. It’s the people who are suffering,” he said.
Peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front, the umbrella organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), NPA and other leftist groups, have been stalled since 2004.
The NDF is protesting the government’s alleged inaction regarding its demand that it be removed from the terrorist lists of the United States and the European Union.
In September 2007, Ms Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 1377 granting amnesty to communist rebels. Saying that “amnesty is essential to attaining peace and reconciliation,” she asked Congress to concur so that her proclamation would be legal and binding.
“There is an urgent need and expressed desire to extend amnesty to members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and other communist rebel groups as an instrument of reconciliation, and as a path for their return to a peaceful, democratic, and pluralistic society,” the President then said.
Ceasefire as an option
In his talk with reporters, Yano said the government should reconsider forging a ceasefire and holding talks with communist rebels as an alternative solution to solving the insurgency.
“The longer the better. As long as we are talking, having our peace negotiations, definitely that ceasefire will have to take effect,” he said.
“Ending the insurgency does not limit our options to just shooting or combat operations or military operations. It will even be better if we address the problem on or before 2010 without firing a shot,” Yano said.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the CPP expressed doubt about the military’s sincerity in its ceasefire offer, citing the AFP’s alleged human rights violations and “vicious” military campaigns.”
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