ROME, Italy – The National Democratic Front (NDF) peace panel, disgruntled over what it alleged as unfulfilled promises by the government, has given the go-signal for its revolutionary forces to “withdraw from the unilateral ceasefire,” which the communist group has been enforcing since August.
This would mean that forces of the New People’s Army (NPA), the military arm of the NDF, would now be allowed to determine for themselves if there would be a need to fight government forces, disregarding the unilateral ceasefire declared by the collective – Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA-NDF – in August 2016.
“The leadership of the revolutionary movement on the ground will have to make the decision (on whether to heed the order of a unilateral ceasefire) on the basis of their appreciation of facts and conditions on the ground, as well as condition on the negotiations,” said NDF peace panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili on the sidelines of the third round of formals talks between the government and the communist group being held here at the Holiday Inn Rome – Parco de Medici.
Agcaoili said that it has been six months since the NDF recommended and got approval from the CPP-NPA that the insurgent group impose a unilateral ceasefire.
While there have been incidents of alleged violations of existing ceasefire agreements committed by both sides, an encounter between government forces and NPA rebels Saturday, January 21, that reportedly killed an insurgent and eight soldiers may have been the final straw for the leftist group.
The NDF peace panel has filed a protest letter with the GRP about alleged violations of ceasefire agreements, and both parties were scheduled to hold a special meeting Tuesday, January 24, tackle the remaining prospects of a bilateral ceasefire agreement.
Agcaoili also pointed out that the Duterte government had initially been able to fulfill its promise to release incarcerated communist insurgents who would be able to serve as consultants in the ongoing peace process, which is on its third set of talks here since January 19.
But since then, and despite the rebel group’s reminders for the government to keep its word, nothing has come out of it.
As it is, the NDF is asking for the release of 392 political prisoners, mostly women, sick and elderly; and the withdrawal of military troops in countryside villages. (ROCKY NAZARENO)
