NSC: Fate of exploratory peace talks depends on Reds’ sincerity

Manila: The National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday said it is fully supportive of the ongoing exploratory peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). NSC Assistant Director General and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya, however, said the communist movement and its allies must prove their sincerity in completely abandoning the armed struggle against the government. The NSC issued this comment after NDF negotiating panel chairperson Julieta de Lima-Sison claimed that the government is making contradictory signals on the issue. "Ms. Julieta de Lima-Sison of the National Democratic Front is mistaken. The government is not making 'contradictory signals' about this issue. We support the exploratory peace talks provided that the CPP-NPA-NDF does not impose their usual preconditions and come to the table with sincerity and a genuine desire to end the more than 50-year-old Communist insurgency that has brought so much pain and suffering to the Fi lipino people," Malaya said. He said it is the CPP-NPA-NDF that has made "contradictory statements" about ending the armed struggle. This was after the CPP-NPA launched its 3rd Rectification Movement last December, aimed at advancing its revolutionary armed struggle, despite signing the Oslo Joint Communiqué in November of last year. Under the Oslo Joint Communiqué, the Philippine government and the NDF agreed to a principled and peaceful resolution of the armed conflict which would pave the way for the transformation of the CPP-NPA-NDF. "Instead of preparing for the NPA's transformation provided in the Oslo Joint Communiqué, the CPP instead called for a rectification movement doubling down on its commitment to carry forward the armed struggle, which it euphemistically calls the 'national democratic revolution' towards 'complete victory'," Malaya said. While the NSC is hopeful and optimistic of the exploratory talks, Malaya said the government cannot just turn a blind eye to the CPP's renewed call for ar med struggle. "They should settle this issue among themselves once and for all. While we support the exploratory talks, its success will entirely depend on the sincerity, truthfulness, and commitment of the CPP-NPA-NDF towards achieving a peace settlement and ending armed hostilities as soon as possible," he said. Source: Philippines News agency