MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has rejected renewed calls for peace negotiations with the New People’s Army (NPA), declaring there is no justification to reopen talks and branding the insurgent group as a continuing threat that must be addressed through force, not dialogue.
Teodoro said engaging the NPA would only grant undue legitimacy to a group he accused of committing crimes and disrupting an otherwise peaceful nation.
“I object to any peace talks with the NPA. The Filipinos are at peace. They are the ones disturbing the peace. So, why should we talk to them?” Teodoro said. “They’re committing crimes. Plain and simple. And it’s terrorism. Plain and simple.”
The defense chief’s stance comes amid renewed debate on peace negotiations following the April 19 clash in Toboso, Negros Occidental, which left 19 people dead.
Teodoro made the remarks in Ilocos Norte, where he joined local officials in distributing financial assistance and food packs to hundreds of fisherfolk affected by restrictions tied to the ongoing “Balikatan” military exercises. A temporary no-sail policy remains in effect in parts of the province until May 8.
He also brushed aside reports of alleged destabilization efforts involving active personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), saying authorities have found no evidence to support such claims.
“Wala pa kaming natutumbok na any active duty na members of the Armed Forces na kasama sa kahit anong mang destabilization,” he said, adding that there is no reason at this time to conduct loyalty checks within the military.
Teodoro maintained that the government’s approach will remain focused on suppressing insurgency through intensified law enforcement and military operations rather than returning to the negotiating table./PN
