Duterte can do more for peace process than Aquino—Bayan

Philippines’ president-elect Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a press conference in Davao City, in southern island of Mindanao on May 26, 2016. AFP FILE PHOTO

A militant group on Saturday said President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, who offered Cabinet positions to the Reds, was in a position to do more for the peace process in his first 100 days in office than what outgoing President Benigno Aquino has accomplished in his six-year term.

“Duterte has committed to release all political prisoners as a confidence-building measure. In an unprecedented move, he has offered cabinet positions to the Left, more than what was ever given by any post-EDSA regime. In contrast, Aquino continues to avoid any responsibility for his failed handling of the peace talks with the NDF (National Democratic Front),” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chairperson Renato Reyes said in a statement.

READ: Duterte to free political prisoners
Duterte earlier vowed to release all political prisoners and “welcome them back to society” as part of “confidence-building” once the peace talks with the rebels begin.

The NDF recently submitted its nominees to the Duterte Cabinet, namely Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate as environment secretary; former Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano to  the agrarian reform portfolio; University of the Philippines professor and  development worker Judy Taguiwalo as social welfare secretary;  and Silvestre Bello III as labor secretary. But Zarate has reportedly begged off in favor of former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño.

READ: Red nominees not cadres—NDF
Reyes lamented that Aquino was “not serious at all” in talking peace, which he said was the reason why back-channel efforts failed.

“Even in his last days in office, ‘Boy Sisi’ continues to blame everyone but himself. He fails to understand the importance in the peace talks of upholding previously signed agreements such as the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees. Noynoy excelled in violating the JASIG and the agreement on respect for human rights, and thus accumulated so many political prisoners, 18 of whom are NDFP consultants,” he said.

“When it comes to the peace process with the NDF, Duterte and the haciendero president are poles apart,” Reyes added.

Aquino, however, told Inquirer editors and reporters on Tuesday that it was the NDF who walked out of the peace talks, saying that the proposal was never formally presented to him.

“Formally, I don’t think I ever received that (proposal)… But what was on the table had no significant change so we thought it was just propaganda,” Aquino said. “They walked out. How do we proceed with the peace process if we go back to the long dragged out and no-compromising position?” CDG

READ: NDF, not us, walked out of peace talks—Aquino