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By Prince Golez, Manila Reporter
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Tuesday, February 7, 2017
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Members of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines hold a demonstration calling for peace negotiations and social economic reforms in Manila on Jan. 23. AFP
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MANILA – Sen. Francis Pangilinan hopes the suspension of peace talks between the government and communist rebels will just be temporary.
“Let us not give up on peace,” Pangilinan said on Monday.
Over the weekend, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a suspension of peace talks following the demand of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to release more than 400 political prisoners and the deaths of several soldiers in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
The President also ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to lift the ceasefire with the CPP-New People’s Army.
Pangilinan urged both parties to return to the negotiating table to avoid the “insanity of war.”
“The road to peace is not easy and is fraught with obstacles but it still a road we must traverse if we are to succeed in finally joining the ranks of modern and progressive nations in the world,” the senator said.
Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto appealed to government and rebel negotiators to give peace a chance.
Recto also asked them to revoke any previously issued directives.
“A bad peace is always better than a just war. The two parties must be pulled back from the brink of reigniting the conflict,” he said.
“Parties must refrain from taking steps that will lead the country toward the path of irrevocable resumption of hostilities… There is no constituency for war in this country. Parties must not engage in one that will make all of us collateral damages of their folly.”
With the deferment of peace talks, Duterte was “playing psychological game” with the communist rebels, said Sen. Panfilo Lacson, adding that the President was sending them a “strong message”.
“‘Di pa natin alam kung ano ang desired end-state ni (President Duterte) sa pagsasabing tigil na magsiuwi kayo. Kasi pwede rin naman, sabi niya, qualify niya naman. Na kung may compelling reason bumalik sa peace negotiation at ito para sa interest ng bansa, ‘di niya sinarhan,” the former police said.
Lacson added that Duterte’s declaration has to do with the rebels’ ceasefire violation.
“Sabi ng (National Democratic Front), Feb. 10 tigil na ang unilateral ceasefire, wala pang Feb 10 may dinukot na naka-civilian na sundalo, tapos pinatay pa ang tatlo. So walang control. So, dapat nga, tama ang ginawa ni (President Duterte) na ipakita niyo muna na kayo iisa kayong grupo ‘di kayo kausap namin iba ginagawa ng armed element ninyo,” he said.
Sen. Bam Aquino, meanwhile, asked the National Democratic Front to surrender their members who were responsible for the killings of three Army soldiers in the Northern Mindanao province.
“While peace is the ultimate goal, parties must come to the table in good faith. Only then can we end this conflict and, finally, build a path toward prosperity for our poor countrymen,” Aquino said./PN
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