Cops’ release could help reopen talks with Reds, says Aquino adviser

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Monday’s release of four policemen held hostage by communist rebels for three weeks was an act of “goodwill” that may lead to a resumption of the stalled peace talks with the National Democratic Front, presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Quintos-Deles said.

“The goodwill resulting from the successful release of the four police officers constitutes a potential building block for the resumption of peace negotiations between the two parties,” Deles said in a statement emailed late Monday, hours after New People’s Army rebels freed PO3 Vic Calubag Concon, PO1 Rey O’niel Morales, PO1 Joen Zabala and PO1 Edito Roquino in the mountains of Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte.

The four policemen were seized during an NPA raid on a police station in the town of Alegria in Surigao del Norte last July 10.

Two suspected rebels were killed in the ensuing firefight while two members of the town’s police force were wounded. The attackers fled with an M14 rifle, four M16 rifles and a shotgun taken from the police station.

Deles said the release of the four captives through negotiations showed that issues could be resolved peacefully.

Jorge Madlos, NDF spokesperson, admitted that the negotiations were rough because of disagreements over the duration of a ceasefire but both sides eventually settled on a five-day localized ceasefire so that the policemen could be returned to their families.

Madlos said the NPA agreed to set aside the scheduled “trial” of the policemen in deference to the agreement forged with Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

“This joint undertaking has shown that we can work together and resolve issues peacefully, starting with small, positive steps like this one,” Deles said, adding that the negotiations took 12 days.

President Aquino’s peace adviser also said the government remained firm about ending what is the world’s longest-running communist insurgency, dating back to the 1940s, through peaceful means.

“We reiterate our openness and serious intent to pursue peace negotiations with the (Communist Party of the Philippines) on the basis of a time-bound and doable agenda. We believe that our people deserve nothing less from the two parties than that they resume peace talks, which can offer a clear roadmap to a just and doable political settlement,” she said.

Deles said for negotiations to resume, the communists have to “come to the table to find common solutions to our problems in peaceful dialogue, as Filipinos first and foremost.”

Peace talks with the communists were stalled when the NDF withdrew from the negotiating table over disagreements on the coverage of the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantee.

It accused the government of insincerity.

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