MANILA – Rebels must show “genuine sincerity” if the government must pursue peace negotiations with them again, Malacañang said.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque blamed what he called the rebels’ “double-talk” and “treachery” for the failure of the peace talks.
Sixty-one members of the House of Representatives – via House Resolution 1803 – called for the resumption of the peace negotiations between the government and the rebels.
“We recognize the independence of the House of Representatives … [to urge] the President to continue the negotiations with the NDF-CPP-NPA and complete the Comprehensive Agreements on Social, Economic and Political Reforms,” Roque said on Tuesday.
“We thank those who signed the resolution for their support to the peace agenda of the administration,” he said.
Duterte had always been “clear” and “consistent” in his commitment to attaining peace since the beginning of his term, his spokesman stressed.
“However, we find it unfortunate that the communists have become spoilers of peace because of their penchant for double-talk and treachery,” said Roque.
In November last year Duterte signed Proclamation 360 to formally terminate the peace talks. The President accused the rebels of engaging in continued attacks on civilians.
“Their (rebels) motives are not for attaining sustainable peace but rather to push for their greater control and influence,” Roque said.
To show “genuine sincerity,” he said, the rebels must “cease their hostilities against innocent civilians and government forces; end their extortion activities, violent streaks and wanton killings; lay down their arms and return to the fold of law, and restart to live normal lives.”
Malacañang assured the public that the government will exhaust all means to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation.
“Even without the peace talks, the government’s efforts at forging peace with communist rebels have been gaining ground, as evidenced by the surrender of NPA fighters,” Roque said.
The NDF, or National Democratic Front, is the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, while the NPA, or New People’s Army, is its armed wing./PN
