FILE- Communist guerrillas in Davao Oriental province say they will shift from combat to providing free labor for farmers once the ceasefire with the government is reinstated. —KARLOS MANLUPIG
Peace talks between the government and communist rebels ground to a halt on Wednesday for the third time since negotiations started in August 2016, and for the same reason – the continued attacks on government troops by the New People’s Army (NPA), particularly in Mindanao.
Talks won’t resume unless the communists rebels agree to stop all attacks on government troops in Mindanao, according to Secretary Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on the peace process.
READ: Duterte threatens to end peace initiatives if rebel attacks persist
One of the latest attacks happened on Wednesday in Arakan town in North Cotabato, during which at least four members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and two militiamen were wounded in a battle that started at a checkpoint manned by rebels disguised as soldiers.
READ: Continued attacks halt peace talks between gov’t and communist rebels | Gov’t cancels back-channel talks with Reds
Also on Wednesday, the NPA admitted launching a series of attacks in the Caraga region to protest the imposition of martial law over the whole of Mindanao.
READ: NPA owns Caraga attacks as protest vs martial law extension
In fact, the second suspension of the peace talks, last May 27, was also triggered by the communists objection to martial law, which President Rodrigo Duterte declared on May 23, shortly after Islamic-inspired terrorists laid siege to Marawi City.
In announcing the suspension, Dureza referred the order of the communist leaders to the NPA to intensify attacks against government troops in response to the martial law declaration.
“We question the sincerity of the CPP/NPA/NDFP, if they truly are in pursuit of peaceful coexistence,” Dureza said. “The Duterte administration would rather pursue the path of genuine dialogue to build a nation worthy of its citizens.”
CPP stands for the Communist Party of the Philippines, while the NDFP stands for National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
READ: Martial law in Mindanao puts peace talks with Reds on hold
In the first suspension, last Feb. 4, Duterte himself made the announcement at a late news conference near his parents’ graves in Davao City. Though the Marawi siege was still months away from taking place, he gave the same reason – the NPA attacks on government troops.
Duterte also stressed that he would not give in to the communists’ demand for him to release all political prisoners.
“I will not compromise integrity of government by releasing all political prisoners,” Duterte said.
He said he had “walked the extra mile” for peace. But he said he would not give in and would even be willing to prolong the conflict.
“If you want to extend it for another 50 years, so be it. I’d be happy to accommodate you,” he said. /atm
READ: Duterte: No more peace talks with Reds without ‘compelling reason’