PNP welcomes plan to resume peace talks but doubts NPA sincerity

Peace panels from the government and National Democratic Front talk peace on the negotiating table in a file photo. From Jesus Dureza’s Facebook account

The Philippine National Police (PNP) welcomed on Wednesday President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to resume peace talks with the communist rebels but noted that insurgents should also show sincerity towards peace.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) often use the peace talks to recruit and strengthen their forces.

“Siguro lahat naman gusto ng lasting peace. Dito sa PNP gusto rin naming mapayapang bayan at wala ring violent confrontation between the security forces and the New People’s Army (NPA),” Bulalacao said.

(We all want lasting peace. The PNP also wants a peaceful country and no more violent confrontation between security forces and the NPA.)

“So gusto namin yung desisyon ng Presidente dito, pero sana bigyan pansin na maging sinsero sila sa mabibigyang usapan at umiwas na sila na magsagawa ng violent attack sa security at sa civilians,” he added.

(So we welcome the President’s decision on this matter, but they should be sincere in the peace talks and refrain from carrying out violent attacks against security forces and civilians.)

President Duterte on Tuesday said that he would resume talks with the CPP as long as the NPA, stops its series of attacks and collection of revolutionary taxes from businesses.

The President’s pronouncement came days after the NPA burned P65-million worth of construction equipment in at least two far-flung villages in Davao City during the Holy Week, which also coincided with the NPA’s 49th founding anniversary.

It was the first time in recent months that Duterte appeared to be cordial with the communists, which he referred to in his speech as “friends,” citing their support to his presidential candidacy in 2016. /jpv

READ: Duterte to Reds: Stop attacks, ‘revolutionary taxes’ and we’ll talk