By: Genalyn D. Kabiling
The peace process with the communist rebel group is on the rocks again.
President Duterte has refused to resume the government’s formal peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines if the rebels would not stop attacking government forces.
The President imposed the condition on the peace negotiations during the meeting with the government peace panel in Malacañang last Tuesday.
“The President directed the government panel negotiating with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines not to resume formal peace talks unless the Reds agree to stop their attacks against government troops in Mindanao,” a Palace statement said.
The President has asked the communist rebels to reciprocate the good faith shown by the government in the peace process.
“President Duterte, for his part, stressed that the Reds really need to stop engaging the military in Mindanao if they want to continue the peace negotiations, adding that the government has always dealt with the communist rebels in good faith,” the statement added.
The President’s remarks came ahead of the planned back-channel talks between the government and rebel negotiators this month. The informal negotiations are reportedly aimed at ironing out concerns on the proposed ceasefire as well as extortion and other illegal activities committed by the rebels.
The fifth round of formal talks was suspended last May after the rebels ordered fighters to step up attacks against the government troops in protest of the martial law proclamation in Mindanao.
The Palace said the President met government peace negotiators to discuss the possible signing of a ceasefire pact with the rebels.
“Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza said the resumption of formal talks would depend on the rebel group’s commitment to follow certain guidelines for a possible ceasefire deal with government,” the Palace said.
“This includes suspending operations against the military and the police and stopping all their extortion activities on the ground, among others,” it added. .