Solons seek resumption of PH-NDFP talks

Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Carlos Zarate (CDN PHOTO/CHOY ROMANO)

Crossing party lines, 61 members of the House of Representatives signed a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to resume peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate on Sunday expressed optimism that the stalled negotiations would continue as House members supported House Resolution 1803 filed last March 22.

“This is very encouraging and we are calling on the Duterte administration to heed this call for a just peace. We are also urging our other colleagues to also co-author the resolution as there is a more urgent need and reason now to continue the GRP-NDFP peace process in the midst of escalating clashes between the military and the communist rebels,” Zarate said in a statement.

After assuming the presidency, Duterte embarked on an aggressive peace campaign with the Left by giving the militants positions in his Cabinet, releasing detained NDF and NPA consultants and sending emissaries to talks in The Netherlands.

The President formally terminated the talks on Nov. 23, 2017, after NPA rebels continued and intensified deadly attacks on government forces, resulting in a number of deaths among soldiers and policemen.

“We find it unfortunate that their members have failed to show their sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine and meaningful peaceful negotiations,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in announcing the President’s ending the talks.

READ: Duterte signs Proclamation No. 360 terminating peace talks with NPA

Zarate said the peace negotiations should continue even if both sides had not yet ceased armed hostilities.

“That is precisely why peace talks must proceed because the two sides are at war. The no ceasefire, no peace talks policy being pushed by the militarists elements in the cabinet practically negates the inherent purpose of a peace negotiation. It harks the nation back to Marcos’ failed military or militarist solution,” he added.

Zarate likewise called on the public to support the resumption of the peace negotiations as he reiterated that this, along with the implementation of genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization, would solve “the root causes of the armed conflict.”

“What can also be done, as earlier proposed, is for the simultaneous signing of the Comprehensive Agreement of Social and Economic Reforms (Caser) and the bilateral ceasefire so that the concerns of both parties and our people can already be effectively addressed,” he added.

After terminating the talks, Duterte issued a proclamation declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines and NPA as terrorist organizations on Dec. 5.

Last Feb. 20, 2018, the President said he might consider the resumption of peace talks upon consultations with his military officials.

“So I’m talking to the communists. The Norwegian officials came here to explore the possibility of talking again. I have to consult my military people. Why? Eh sila ‘yung namamatay eh, hindi naman ako. Sabi ko, ‘I will talk to the military. If you would agree, I might [consider resuming the peace talks]’,” Duterte said. /cbb

READ: Duterte to let military decide on peace talks with Reds