NDF hits Palace for ‘irresponsible’ statements on peace talks

Palace officials should “put their act together” and refrain from issuing “irresponsible” statements on media about the peace talks between the Philippine government and the communist rebels, the National Democratic Front (NDF) said Tuesday.

NDF legal counsel Rachel Pastores said it was “irresponsible” for Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque to say that the Royal Norwegian government (RNG) may no longer be needed as facilitator of the peace talks especially as it had sponsored the backchannel talks between the two parties.

“Siguro I would say it is irresponsible for them to say that the RNG, to declare unilaterally, and say that the Norwegian government or the third party facilitator is no longer needed in the peace negotiations,” Pastores said in a press conference in Quezon City.

“Lalung-lalo na na kaka-sponsor lang and facilitate ng Norwegian government ng backchannel which resulted in signing of important documents. And for them to say na basta na lang na hindi na kailangan, it is irresponsible,” she added.

(Especially that the Norwegian government has just sponsored and facilitated the backchannel talks which resulted in signing of important documents. And for them to say that they just do not need [the RNG], it is irresponsible.)

She also said Palace officials should not blame the media for their hullabaloo as the press were merely reporting what they said.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing Monday that the RNG may no longer be needed as a third party facilitator if the peace talks would be held here in the Philippines.

Asked who would facilitate the peace talks in the Philippines, Roque said, “Wala na po siguro. Nandito na naman tayo sa Pilipinas.”

(Maybe no more. We are already here in the Philippines.)

“We have a panel. And they have the authority to fix the logistics,” he added.

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

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza was quick to call the reports “irresponsible journalism” and “total fabrication,” noting the RNG remains as third party facilitator in the peace process.

Roque on Monday night clarified his statement, saying: “Norway can continue to help the Philippines as a third party facilitator of the peace talks, as I mentioned during this morning’s press briefing.”

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines criticized both officials, saying the fault lies not with media but with the government’s “all too often muddled communications.”

“Particularly Roque who eventually tried to weasel his way out of a bad situation by claiming, in a subsequent statement, that he had only talked about Duterte’s wish for the talks to be held in the country,” NUJP chair Nonoy Espina said in a statement.

Pastores said the role of a third party facilitator in the peace process is indispensable because it ensures fair and balanced negotiations between the two parties.   /muf