DAVAO CITY (December 19) — President Rodrigo Duterte will not re-open the peace talks between the Philippine Government and the Communist Party of the Philippines/National Democratic Front (NDF) until the rebel groups stop attacking government forces, entities and civilians.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo during the press briefing Wednesday said, Duterte would only be willing to resume peace talks if communist groups prove that they will not violate the terms of such.
“The President is always open to end bloodshed in this country. He doesn’t want any killing among Filipinos. But for as long as they violate the terms of a peace talk, then the President will never allow it to happen,” Panelo stressed.
The Palace official further explained President Duterte’s remarks about showing no mercy for members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
“It only means that he is going to respond in kind,” Panelo said, as he denounced the recent ambushes allegedly staged by NPA rebels in the country.
“Remember [when] they said that we were going to have a truce, a Christmas truce? And yet look at what they are doing. If you’re going to have a truce, you might as well show your sincerity by not doing anything contrary to what your intention is,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sec. Panelo also clarified the President’s statement about protecting indigenous peoples (IPs) from getting influenced or harmed by communist insurgents.
President Duterte recently said he would “hamlet” lumads to guard them from members of the NPA.
“Perhaps what he means is to protect them, to shield them from harassment or from undue influence, from indoctrination coming from the Left… He will do it for their own good and safety,” Panelo noted.-NewsLine.ph
