By: Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
Malacañang has said that the termination of the peace talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front is final for now.
According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, it is now up to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process led by Secretary Jesus Dureza to act on President Duterte’s verbal pronouncements, including issuing a formal notice of the cancellation of the peace talks.
“It’s up to the OPAPP now to act accordingly after the President issued basically, repeated verbal orders that he wants to put a halt to ongoing peace talks for the time being,” Roque said.
“I’ll clarify the matter with the OPAPP. The President is the Chief Executive, he has issued verbal orders repeatedly on the subject matter, so it is final for now. No more peace talks with the NPA,” he added.
Roque said he is unsure if Duterte’s announcement just warrants a mere suspension or the termination of the talks but noted that the President has clearly expressed unwillingness to proceed with the peace negotiations.
“Napika na po ang Presidente. Nais niya talagang magkaroon ng kapayapaan, nakipag-usap siya. Pero habang nakipag-usap, wala pong hupa ang pag-aatake ng NPA,” Roque said.