By ARGYLL GEDUCOS
After months of waiting, President Duterte finally walked the talk, signing Proclamation No. 360, which officially terminates the government’s peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).
The announcement was made by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) following Duterte’s pronouncement that the Reds are to be considered terrorists and criminals.
According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Duterte signed the said proclamation Thursday afternoon, less than 24 hours after the Chief Executive said he will order the arrest of non-armed fronts of the communist faction for conspiracy to commit terrorism under the Human Security Act.
Duterte, according to Roque, also ordered the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Panel for Peace Talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF to cancel meetings with representatives of the communist faction.
Roque reiterated the government exerted all efforts to pursue peace with the communist rebels. “While we agreed to resume peace talks with the aforementioned group and exerted our best efforts to accelerate the signing and implementation of the final peace agreement, the NDF-CPP-NPA has engaged in acts of violence and hostilities,” Roque said in a statement late Thursday night.
“We find it unfortunate that their members have failed to show their sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine and meaningful peaceful negotiations,” he added.
“The President, as we all know, has always wanted to leave a legacy of peace under his administration. He has, in fact, walked the extra mile for peace,” Roque said.
Roque maintained Duterte is still hoping for peace despite terminating the talks. “Rest assured that he will continuously pray that we may all find the peace that we seek for our beloved country in the fullness of God’s time,” Roque said.
In the proclamation, Duterte stressed the administration’s commitment to achieve a secure and progressive nation by negotiating and accelerating the signing and implementation of peace agreements with the Reds was to no avail.
“In spite of the best efforts exerted by the administration, the NDF-CPP-NPA failed to show its sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine and meaningful peace negotiations as it engaged in acts of violence and hostilities, endangering the lives and properties of innocent people,” Duterte said in the proclamation.
Malacañang last Thursday said they will clarify Duterte’s order with the OPAPP, including the issuance of the formal notice of the cancellation of the peace talks.
Duterte said Saturday last week he is no longer inclined to resume the peace talks with the Reds, following what he deemed an “intentional” ambush of a group of people in Talakad, Bukidnon on Nov. 10 which led to the death of a four-month-old baby and a policeman.
“No, I am not anymore inclined to (pursue talks with them). Ayaw kong makipag-usap sa kanila. ‘Di lang, nagpapahinga lang mga sundalo ko. But we will also go to the offensive,” he said.
The relationship between Duterte and the communist rebels turned sour in February when the Reds launched an ambush on three soldiers in Bukidnon. Since then, Duterte expressed reticence to resume the talks, even telling soldiers to “prepare for a long war.”
“I told the soldiers to prepare for a long war. I said it will not come during our generation. I know them already,” Duterte said last February.
