Gov’t wasted opportunity to forge stable bilateral ceasefire—Bayan

Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes. NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. on Wednesday said that the government panel has wasted an opportunity to create a more stable bilateral ceasefire and progress the peace talks for the benefit of the people, following the termination of the unilateral ceasefire announcement by New People’s Army (NPA) effective on February 10.

“The Government of the Republic of the Philippines’ (GRP) failure to release all political prisoners and failure to end the militarization of communities are to blame. This one is on the GRP. They had it coming yet did nothing significant,” Reyes said in a statement.

READ: Communist rebels to terminate unilateral ceasefire

Reyes said that the peace talks can and must continue to address the roots of the armed conflict. He added that for any ceasefire to work, outstanding issues must be addressed as well.

“Even without a unilateral or bilateral ceasefire, both parties can and should continue to negotiate urgent socio-economic reforms and political and constitutional reforms,” he said.

He said that the government must come to realization that “Deles-style” (referring to former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita “Ging” Deles) approaches to peace negotiations, as well as extended ceasefires without addressing the demand of the people will no longer work.

“Sincerity and seriousness in peace talks lie not with ceasefire declarations but in negotiations on substantive issues and in upholding signed agreements and commitments. Let the talks continue and let it move to decisively address the roots of the armed conflict,” Reyes added. RAM