AFP backs shelving of peace talks with Reds
Published Apr 30, 2020 12:00 am
By Aaron Recuenco
The series of attacks by communist rebels, amid the government’s efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is proof that any peace negotiation with the New People’s Army (NPA) is a futile effort, the military said on April 30, Thursday.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) (MANILA BULLETIN)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) made the statement after President Duterte announced that he is shelving peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said those attacks included ambushes on government troops escorting social workers who distribute cash assistance to the poor and the alleged stealing of relief goods for the poor affected by the lockdown.
“The CPP-NPA have never been sincere in talking peace with government. Since the beginning and despite countless chances for peace that they unduly took advantage of, the terrorist CPP-NPA has no intention to genuinely pursue peace negotiations but to buy time to consolidate, recruit, and strengthen their ranks and resume their offensives,” said Arevalo.
Arevalo said that the NPA itself committed 17 violations of its ceasefire, which was declared during the first days of the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
This means, according to Arevalo, that the NPA leadership has no control of its fighters on the ground.
Arevalo also hit back at CPP-NPA-NDF, which claimed earlier that the Duterte administration is using the COVID-19 pandemic to justify the declaration of the Martial Law.
“We reject false accusations that COVID-19 pandemic is being used to perpetuate martial rule. The citizenry know only too well that the AFP has been open and very supportive of all government’s efforts that seek to achieve lasting peace and promote development,” said Arevalo.
The NPA has been waging more than five decades of armed struggle against the government.
Attempts to negotiate with the CPP-NPA-NDF would always bog down, with the government accusing the group of laying down impossible demands.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) (MANILA BULLETIN)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) made the statement after President Duterte announced that he is shelving peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said those attacks included ambushes on government troops escorting social workers who distribute cash assistance to the poor and the alleged stealing of relief goods for the poor affected by the lockdown.
“The CPP-NPA have never been sincere in talking peace with government. Since the beginning and despite countless chances for peace that they unduly took advantage of, the terrorist CPP-NPA has no intention to genuinely pursue peace negotiations but to buy time to consolidate, recruit, and strengthen their ranks and resume their offensives,” said Arevalo.
Arevalo said that the NPA itself committed 17 violations of its ceasefire, which was declared during the first days of the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
This means, according to Arevalo, that the NPA leadership has no control of its fighters on the ground.
Arevalo also hit back at CPP-NPA-NDF, which claimed earlier that the Duterte administration is using the COVID-19 pandemic to justify the declaration of the Martial Law.
“We reject false accusations that COVID-19 pandemic is being used to perpetuate martial rule. The citizenry know only too well that the AFP has been open and very supportive of all government’s efforts that seek to achieve lasting peace and promote development,” said Arevalo.
The NPA has been waging more than five decades of armed struggle against the government.
Attempts to negotiate with the CPP-NPA-NDF would always bog down, with the government accusing the group of laying down impossible demands.