Duterte not inclined to lift terrorist tag on communist rebels
Published Apr 29, 2018 06:47 pm
By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte is not yet inclined to lift the terrorist tag on the communist rebels despite his offer to jumpstart the peace talks.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
(ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) The Communist Party of the Philippines and New People's Army (NPA) have been declared terrorist organizations for their atrocities against government troops and civilians in Proclamation 374 issued by the President in December. "Not yet," the President said during a press conference in Davao City, when asked if he would lift the proclamation. Duterte admitted that he was still waiting for the word of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, also head of the government peace panel in the talks with the communist group, on the matter. For now, the President said he wants to give the peace talks with the communist rebels another chance. He noted that he has already offered a 60-day window for the peace talks he hopes to review with the communists. Duterte also urged anew CPP founder Jose Maria Sison to return home and join the peace talks with the government. He has promised to give Sison safe passage as well as pay for his lodging expenses during the negotiations. "Sabi niya he's ready to come home if assured of his safety. Pwede siya. Kaliliit ng bahay ko. Pero gusto niya 'yung kwarto ko (He can. My house is small but he can stay in my room)," Duterte said. ‘Pag sinabi ng head of state na, 'Let us talk and have this small window provided for us to talk peacefully and talk about peace and attain peace,' I will be the first na kung may magputok, I will stay in front of him," he added. The President also insisted that the communists must agree to a ceasefire before the peace talks could resume. "Until such time that we’re able to perfect an agreement, then keep your firearms there in the camp, but do not go out of the camp bringing guns. Diyan lang kayo, then we talk," he said. "We will try. Give it one more at least during my term," he added.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte(ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) The Communist Party of the Philippines and New People's Army (NPA) have been declared terrorist organizations for their atrocities against government troops and civilians in Proclamation 374 issued by the President in December. "Not yet," the President said during a press conference in Davao City, when asked if he would lift the proclamation. Duterte admitted that he was still waiting for the word of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, also head of the government peace panel in the talks with the communist group, on the matter. For now, the President said he wants to give the peace talks with the communist rebels another chance. He noted that he has already offered a 60-day window for the peace talks he hopes to review with the communists. Duterte also urged anew CPP founder Jose Maria Sison to return home and join the peace talks with the government. He has promised to give Sison safe passage as well as pay for his lodging expenses during the negotiations. "Sabi niya he's ready to come home if assured of his safety. Pwede siya. Kaliliit ng bahay ko. Pero gusto niya 'yung kwarto ko (He can. My house is small but he can stay in my room)," Duterte said. ‘Pag sinabi ng head of state na, 'Let us talk and have this small window provided for us to talk peacefully and talk about peace and attain peace,' I will be the first na kung may magputok, I will stay in front of him," he added. The President also insisted that the communists must agree to a ceasefire before the peace talks could resume. "Until such time that we’re able to perfect an agreement, then keep your firearms there in the camp, but do not go out of the camp bringing guns. Diyan lang kayo, then we talk," he said. "We will try. Give it one more at least during my term," he added.