NDF slams Aquino for ‘pessimism’ about resumption of peace talks with communist rebels

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—The communist National Democratic Front slammed President Benigno Aquino on Friday for his “pessimism” about the resumption of peace talks with communist rebels.

In a statement e-mailed to the Inquirer,  NDF chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni said Aquino’s pessimism was “most regrettable” and “shows a lack of decisiveness and political will regarding a matter of national interest.”

“Peace talks are never meant to be easy,” Jalandoni said, addressing himself directly to Aquino. “Tough negotiations are needed to resolve the root causes of the armed conflict between two contending Parties with their respective armies.”

Jalandoni was reacting to a statement  made by Aquino at an open forum following a speech to the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on Thursday. The President was asked if he was as optimistic about peace with communist rebels as he was about peace with Muslim separatist rebels following the recent signing of a preliminary “Framework Agreement” with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“Am I as optimistic? I tend to be pessimistic in the sense of preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. In this case, I will not change” Aquino said. “But there is some reason to believe that we are… moving forward in terms of… the efforts that we are trying to achieve a  settlement also with the CPP-NPA-NDF.”

The on-and-off talks between the government and communist rebels broke down in 2004 and have not resumed since then.

Jalandoni said several issues which the government has failed to address were hindering the resumption of the negotiations.

“An important case in point is the defiance of the commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s Intelligence and Security Group (ISG) to carry out the court order of the Gumaca Quezon Regional Trial Court to transfer NDFP Consultant Tirso Alcantara from his detention under the ISG, PA in Fort Bonifacio to a civilian facility. Judge Maria Chona Pulgar-Navarro ordered the Chief of the ISG, PA on July 18, 2012 to comply with her May 8, 2012 order,” Jalandoni said.

Jalandoni said there was also the continued call of the NDF for the release of  13 jailed consultants and 385 political prisoners.

In 1995, the government and the NDF peace panels signed an immunity guarantee for NDF members, consultants and staff working with the negotiating team.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said communist leaders were the ones reluctant to resume negotiations. Their leaders have made the release of captured rebels a condition for the resumption of the talks, he said.

“The NDFP has always been ready and willing to have peace negotiations to address the roots of the armed conflict on the basis of binding bilateral agreements,” Jalandoni said.