Rody, Reds friends again after word war

DESPITE the exchange of harsh words, President Duterte is bent on working for the success of peace talks with communist insurgents, officials said yesterday.

Mr. Duterte met with members of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace panel in what appeared to be a friendly gathering in Malacañang on Monday night.

The President gave assurance that the NDFP’s freed consultants would be able to fly to Oslo, Norway, for the formal launch of the talks later this month, according to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who heads the government panel.

Mr. Duterte also directed immigration and foreign affairs officials to assist the NDFP consultants when they leave the country for Norway.

Among those present at the meeting were NDFP consultant and former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, panel member Fidel Agcaoili and lawyer Edre Olalia.

Also in attendance were members of the government panel: Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morante.

The NDFP members linked hands and posed with the President and the government panel for pictures.

Peace process adviser Jesus Dureza said the government would not let the heated exchanges between Mr. Duterte and Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Ma. Sison derail the discussions to end the insurgency that had plagued the country for nearly half a century and claimed 40,000 lives.

“The President said while he was hurt by the sharp exchanges … he gave assurances that he will walk the extra mile for peace,” Dureza said in a statement.

Mr. Duterte also said during the meeting that he was open to any proposal that “would address the root of rebellion in the countryside.”

Olalia described the meeting as “positive.”

“Very light, cordial, warm, conversational and humorous exchange,” Olalia said in a text message.

Sison, who is based in the Netherlands, earlier called the President volatile and a bully (butangero) when he lifted the government’s unilateral ceasefire after the communists failed to reciprocate the gesture.

Mr. Duterte later criticized the CPP as a spent force after Sison failed to reciprocate the President’s unilateral declaration of a ceasefire within a 24-hour deadline—a move critics said showed the 77-year-old rebel in exile in the genteel Dutch city of Utrecht for the past 29 years did not have command of troops on the ground.

From a peak of strength of 25,000 during the martial law years, the New People’s Army is now down to 4,000 men under arms, according to the military, many of them allegedly engaged in banditry and protection racket in the countryside.

Fully committed

Dureza earlier said that the lifting of the ceasefire would not be a reason to stop the talks, and added that both sides could discuss a possible truce when they come to the table.

The government had helped facilitate the release of detained communist leaders so that they could join the peace talks in Norway.

They include Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, chair and secretary general of the CPP. (See related story on this page.)

The government and CPP panels are expected to tackle issues concerning socioeconomic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, security and immunity guarantees, cessation of hostilities, and the disposition of forces.

“(The President) said he is fully committed to pursue and achieve peace during his term and look for ways to allow those in detention to participate,” Ocampo told the Inquirer in a mobile phone interview.

“He discussed very passionately his campaign against illegal drugs and his intent to fulfill his campaign promises, including the holding of the peace talks,” he said.

Nothing personal

During their two-hour meeting, Ocampo said Mr. Duterte made it clear that he did not take personally Sison’s scathing remarks against him.

“The heated exchange of words was just caused by our temperament. Let’s just forget about it,” he quoted the President as saying.

Ocampo said the President sought to assure them that the government would look for ways to work for the release of three communist leaders who had been convicted for common crimes.

“He said he would go another mile to do something about it, but there’s no commitment,” Ocampo said. “He also agreed that the CPP leaders should not be charged with common crimes because they were actually waging a rebellion.”