No conditions for peace talks–Palace

MANILA, Philippines–Malacañang is not committing to the release of two top officials of the Communist Party of Philippines (CPP) as a condition to restart peace negotiations with its political arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF).

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda on Monday noted that Benito Tiamzon and his wife, Wilma, were facing criminal charges.

The couple, who were arrested in Cebu in March, are facing multiple murder charges in connection with the alleged killing of fellow communists whose mass graves were discovered in Leyte.

Lacierda made clear the government’s position that “there are no preconditions when it comes to talks.”

“Let’s see first if we can resume the talks and then let’s make sure the talks are doable and time-bound before we discuss anything else,” he told reporters.

Jose Maria Sison, CPP founding chair, earlier raised the possibility of resuming peace negotiations with the government, saying he was also willing to meet with President Aquino.

But he said the meeting “can still happen if there is already a substantive agreement or if the meeting can be inspiring, as a confidence-building measure.”

President Peace Adviser Teresita Deles said “friends of the peace process have been shuttling between the two parties to explore possible parameters for restarting talks at the earliest time possible.”

“So far, feedback has been positive but there remain matters to be clarified in order to ensure that, if ever we do resume talks, it will not go the same way of an early, major impasse that has happened too often in the past,” she said earlier.

But just as both sides seemed open to resuming negotiations, the CPP, in a message on its 46th founding anniversary, said “(we) must support the people’s struggle to oust the Aquino regime as a step towards the overthrow of the entire ruling system.”

The CPP sought to boost its armed struggle, saying it must also “seize and control the initiative by launching more frequent and sustained tactical offensives with occasional blows to the head of the enemy.”

Asked about the CPP’s seemingly conflicting statements on wanting to resume peace talks while vowing to intensify its guerrilla campaign, Lacierda said: “That should be answered by them, not by us.”

Lacierda could not yet say if former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista would take over as the chief government negotiator with the NDF.

Asked what a former soldier like Bautista could bring to the negotiating table, he said: “I think those who wage war are those who have the most to learn and the most to invest in peace.”