Dela Rosa backs peace talks with communist rebels but says ‘no ceasefire’

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he is supporting the government’s move to return to the negotiating table for peace talks with the communist rebels “provided there is no ceasefire.”

Dela Rosa was police chief when former President Rodrigo Duterte terminated the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front — Communist Party of the Philippines — The New People’s Army (NDF-CPP-NPA) in 2017.

“Pabor ako na may peace talk, provided walang ceasefire kasi kung may ceasefire, ‘yan gagamitin na naman nila yan para magpalakas…” the senator said in an interview in the Senate on Tuesday.

(I favor peace talks, provided there’s no ceasefire because if there’s a ceasefire, they’ll use it as an opportunity to consolidate their forces.)

Dela Rosa said this when asked about Vice President Sara Duterte’s statement against forging peace with the communist rebels.

According to the Vice President, the recently signed peace deal was “an agreement with the devil.”

Dela Rosa said he understands where the Vice President is coming from as he cited his own experience with the NPA.

He recalled for example seeing his men dying or taking their last breath beside him while fighting with the communist rebels.

“Grabe kasama ang dinanas ko sa NPA, as I’ve said. Nag-retire na lang ako sa serbisyo pero hindi ko talaga sila, I can’t forgive them unless they surrender,” he said.

(I went through a lot with the NPA, as I’ve said. I retired from service, but I can’t forgive them unless they surrender.)

“Kung mag-surrender sila and live peacefully, I can forgive them, but if they will not surrender and continue wreaking havoc in communities, I can’t forgive them,” the senator added.

While he supports the peace talks, Dela Rosa stressed that it should be on the government’s terms, not the rebels’.

“I support peace talks provided there is no ceasefire,” he reiterated.