President Rodrigo Duterte signed yesterday Proclamation No. 360 that 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).

According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Duterte signed the said proclamation Thursday afternoon, less than 24 hours after Duterte said he will order the arrest of non-armed legal fronts for conspiracy to commit terrorism under the Human Security Act (HSA).

Earlier, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) announced that the formal talks have been officially cancelled following the President’s pronouncement that the CPP-NPA-NDF will now be considered as terrorists and criminals.

The Chief Executive also ordered the cancellation of all peace talks and meetings with the NDF-CPP-NPA.

Roque reiterated that the government has exerted all efforts to pursue the peace negotiations but said that the communist rebels failed to reciprocate the government’s initiatives.

“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,” he continued.

Roque said Duterte, despite terminating the talks, is still hoping for peace to come even if not within his term, leaving it to God’s will.

“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.

The OPAPP is expected to issue the formal notice of the cancellation of the peace talks.

On Saturday, Duterte said he is no longer inclined to resume the peace talks with the Reds, especially after their “intentional” ambush in Talakad, Bukidnon on November 10 which left a four-month-old baby dead.

“No, I am not anymore inclined to [pursue the peace talks with them]. Ayaw kong makipag-usap sa kanila. ‘Di lang, nagpapahinga lang mga sundalo ko (I don’t want to talk to them. My soldiers are just resting). But we will also go on an offensive,” he said.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos

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