Red-scare tactics may be used to derail peace talks—Bayan Muna

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares. INQUIRER PHOTO

Lawmakers from Bayan Muna have warned of possible attempts to derail the resumption of the stalled peace talks between the incoming administration of presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and the National Democratic Front “in response to the resistance of ultra-rightist elements represented by Senators Antonio Trillanes and Panfilo Lacson and individuals identified with social democratic groups.”

“As in the past, and this early, the antiquated cold-war, red-scare tactic is once again being resurrected as bogey to frustrate the resumption of the peace talks with the NDF, the release of political prisoners and the possible appointments of left personalities in the cabinet of President-elect Duterte,” Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said in a statement on Thursday.

“They did it before; there is big possibility that they will do it again now. Thus, it is important that all the peace stakeholders should be actively engaged in this renewed peace initiatives,” he said.

Trillanes and Lacson are among the senators who are skeptical over Duterte’s plan to grant amnesty to political prisoners. Both of them said the government must be cautious of the possible repercussions.

Zarate said that critics of Duterte’s proposals were “desperate and despicable.”

“The senators who are airing these supposed fears should instead throw their support for the peace talks and stop sowing paranoia. Wag nilang hadlangan ang usapang pangkapayapaan na gamit ang inimbentong multo ng mga militarista at pasista (They should not thwart the peace talks using made up ghosts of militarists and fascists),” said Rep. Neri Colmenares.

“Sinusuportahan namin ang plano ni Pangulong Duterte para sa general amnesty at pagbukas ng gubyerno sa Kaliwa dahil nagpapakita ito ng sinseridad sa pakikipagtulungan na ayusin ang bansa. Hindi naman pwedeng puro Kanan at ultra-Kanan lang ang nasa gubyerno kung pambansang pagkakaisa at pagbabago ang hangad natin (We support the plan of President Duterte for a general amnesty and to open the government to the left because it shows sincerity in helping fix the country. If we want national unity and change we cannot have only right and ultra-rightist members in the government).” RC