Duterte gov’t ‘no longer interested’ in peace talks, says Sison

Jose Maria “Joma” Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

President Rodrigo Duterte seemed no longer interested in peace negotiations, Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison said on Sunday.

Sison’s statement comes after Duterte said that he won’t resume the peace talks until the communists declare a unilateral ceasefire.

Duterte “has practically terminated the peace GRP-NDFP (Government Republic of the Philippines-National Democratic Front) peace negotiations,” Sison said.

He added that the government had been carrying out its all-out war policy against them since last year despite unilateral but reciprocal ceasefire declarations.

The government pulled out of the 5th round of peace negotiations last week after the CPP criticized Duterte’s martial law in Mindanao and ordered its armed wing, the New People’s Army, to intensify their offensives.

READ: Martial law in Mindanao puts peace talks with Reds on hold

Sison said that Duterte was only interested in “the surrender and pacification of the revolutionary forces and people.”

“The revolutionary movement can never agree to a surrender and pacification scheme under the guise of a protracted and prolonged ceasefire that is one-sided and lays aside the demands of the people for social, economic and political reforms,” he added. FM/JE/rga