The only intention of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison in expressing his interest to talk peace was to make himself relevant amid the huge losses the New People’s Army (NPA) had incurred, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday.

Sison is grasping at thin straws to keep his dream alive

Lorenzana expressed doubts whether Sison is really sincere in talking peace with the Duterte administration.

The Defense chief noted the recent threats by Sison to oust President Duterte and the atrocities staged by the NPA against peace and development projects in the countryside.

“He knows that the CPP-NPA is fast losing due to our approach of addressing the insurgency.

His previous call of prioritizing the ouster of PRRD is a hollow one knowing fully how popular the President remains,” Lorenzana said.

“But he has to make it ostensibly to rally his fighters. But deep in his heart he longs for the resumption of the peace talks to remain relevant,” he added.

Thousands of NPA fighters and supporters have surrendered to the government since Mr. Duterte assumed office and started offering the enhanced comprehensive livelihood and integration program to rebel-returnees.

The President on Friday said he intended to keep the communication lines open for possible peace talks with the communist group.

Immediately, Sison, who earlier last week had announced the CPP-NPA will prioritize this year the ouster of Mr. Duterte, welcomed the President’s pronouncement.

Deep in his heart he longs for the resumption of the peace talks to remain relevant.

Lorenzana, however, stressed that the President has repeatedly stated his preconditions before any peace talks would resume.

He said unless Sison and communist fighters show sincerity in the peace process, they can always dream on.

“Now that the President has hinted that a peace talk is still possible, he jumps in and says he is ready for talks. He is grasping at thin straws to keep his dream alive. But he can dream on,” Lorenzana said.

“The President has consistently said that he would reopen the talks if he believes there is a compelling reason to do so,” he added.

Among the President’s conditions for the resumption of peace talks are that there should be no attacks on government forces and civilians, no extortion, no destruction of properties and talks should be held in the Philippines.

“With his threat to oust PRRD (Mr. Duterte’s initials) and the continuing attacks, extortion and burning of construction equipment, I personally don’t see any chance of resumption of talks in the near future,” Lorenzana said.

“I have consistently said that Sison and his people should also show some sincerity,” he added.

Just a week ago, NPA rebels raided a construction company in Negros Oriental, burning down millions of pesos worth of heavy equipment, apparently due to the firm’s failure to give in to extortion demands.

Malacañang also expressed confidence the Supreme Court will uphold the continued implementation of military rule in Mindanao, citing the “demands of public safety” as the primordial reason for its existence in the region.

Opposition lawmakers questioned before the High Tribunal the constitutionality of Congress granting another full-year extension to martial law.

“We are confident that the continuing rebellion in Mindanao, as well as the demands of public safety, requires the continued existence of martial law in that area and the Supreme Court will uphold its continued imposition,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a press statement.

“The grounds cited by the opposition in opposing the third extension of martial law are more or less similar to the grounds cited in the previous petition in opposing the second extension of martial law,” he added.

In their petition, opposition lawmakers claimed martial law declared in May 2017 that cannot be extended as it has already accomplished its purpose of ending the Marawi siege and addressed threats posed by the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Joining Lagman in the petition are Representatives Tom Villarin (Akbayan), Teddy Baguilat Jr. (Ifugao), Edgar Erice (2nd District Caloocan City), Gary Alejano (Magdalo), Jose Christopher Belmonte (6th District Quezon City) and Kaka Bag-ao (Dinagat Islands). With Kristina Maralit