DAVAO CITY, Philippines — It’s final!
After the on and off peace talks with the National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army (CPP-NDF-NPA) President Rodrigo Duterte has formally
terminated the government’s peace negotiation with the communists Thursday November 23.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque in a press briefing Thursday said the President’s decision to end talks with the rebels was due to the later’s sporadic attacks despite the suspension of
the peace talks.
On Thursday afternoon, Duterte signed Proclamation 360 which officially declared the termination of talks.
“I hereby direct the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
(OPAPP) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) Panel for Peace Talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF to cancel all peace talks and meetings with the NDF-CPP-NPA,” the
Proclamation stated.
The Duterte administration earlier agreed to continue peace negotiations and to speed up the signing and implementation of the final peace agreement with the CPP-NPA-NDF but it was never realized.
CPP-NDF-NPA insincere
The Proclamation said, failed to show “sincerity and commitment” in dealing with the government.
“In spite of the best efforts exerted by this Administration, the NDF-CPP-NPA failed to show its sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine and meaningful peace negotiations as it engaged on acts of violence and hostilities, endangering the lives
and properties of innocent people,” the Proclamation read.
This Proclamation is in accordance to Executive Order No. 292, series of 1987, which provides that the President may, by way of a proclamation, declare a status or condition of public moment or interest.
The Duterte administration, nonetheless, remains committed to achieving a secure, progressive, and peaceful nation “by ensuring durable security, public order, and safety”.
Duterte also ordered the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the government peace panel to cancel talks and meetings with the Left.
A copy of the proclamation was sent to media on Friday afternoon, November 24.
The talks with the rebels was temporarily suspended after the GRP and the CPP-NFP failed to agree some contentious issues for the resumption of the talks which was supposed to start last May.
What provoked Duterte?
On November 9, 2017 at about 5:30pm along Km28 Brgy Tikalaan, Talakag, Bukidnon, New Peoples Army (NPA) murdered in Cold Blood a 4-months baby with a gunshot wound on her forehead identified as one Machorao Malysha.
The baby girl was among those killed in Talakag town, Bukidnon when the car she and her family were in was hit by stray bullets as the NPA ambushed a police car in front of them.
The incident prompted Duterte to declare the NPA rebels as terrorist and thereafter ordered the arrest of all communist rebels for conspiracy.
The CPP serves as the mother organization, while the NDF is its political arm negotiating with the government. The NPA is the armed wing.
On Wednesday, Presidential Peace Process Adviser Jesus Dureza said the decision to end the talks was in response to frequent attacks by rebels, and the communists’ lack of willingness to negotiate.
Duterte sabotaged the talks
But National Democratic Front Senior Advisor Luis Jalandoni accused Duterte of “sabotaging” the negotiations and the longing of the Filipino masses for a just ad lasting peace.
“The longing of many millions of farmers and fisherfolk for genuine land reform and the entire Filipino people for a just and lasting peace is trampled upon by Duterte,” Jalandoni said in a statement.
It can be recalled that while the peace talks between the GRP and the CPP-NDF-NPA was ongoing, the rebel group didn’t stop attacks on government forces, the government endured as it wanted a peace deal but recent development however, totally changed the government’s position and Duterte finally signed a document to formally end the talks.-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph
Leave a Reply