Gov’t leery of Reds’ aims

Every time that ceasefires are being declared they take advantage of this to recruit, refurbish, regroup and research.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is cautious about recommending a Christmas truce with revolutionary rebels amid indications that the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), which is the negotiating arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is receptive to the resumption of peace negotiations.

AFP spokesman Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said such skepticism is brought about by the past practice of rebels in using the truce during the season “as an opportunity to regroup their forces.”

“A truce is something that the AFP is not going to recommend because, in the past, we are talking about historical records, every time that ceasefires are being declared they take advantage of this to recruit, refurbish, regroup and research,” Arevalo told a television interview.

It appears even the Department of Justice (DoJ) is skeptical of the intentions of the NDFP in signaling a continuation of peace discussions.

The matter of serving or not the pending arrest warrants against some NDFP leaders is “outside” the jurisdiction of the agency, DoJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said regarding a Palace statement that negotiators will not be arrested.

“The DoJ is ready to assist and cooperate with the peace panel but the matter of enforcing or not the arrest warrants ultimately lies with the courts where criminal cases against certain NDF leaders are pending,” Guevarra said.

On Wednesday, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III said he had met NDFP officials who indicated their being open for a possible resumption of peace talks that he said would likely take place next month.

“Ninety percent of what the President asked (for negotiations to resume), they have already agreed with,” according to Bello, the chief government negotiator.

He flew to The Netherlands last week to meet with CPP founding chairman Jose Maria “Joma” Sison, NDF senior adviser Luis Jalandoni and NDF chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili. Bello said he already gave an assurance that no arrests will be made if the negotiations resume.

“You will issue an invitation then the invited will be arrested. That is not the character of the President,” Bello noted.

“Initially we agreed to have a resumption of possible unilateral ceasefires,” he said.

“Professor Joma Sison agreed to do a face-face meeting with the President,” he added.

The Palace also gave an assurance that the arrest warrants will be suspended if the peace negotiations are held in the country.

“If you are really sincere, it doesn’t matter where the venue is to hold the talks. Certainly there will be no arrests,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

In November last year, Jalandoni and Agcaoili canceled their visit to the Philippines for an “informal talk” with Palace officials after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said they will be nabbed upon their arrival in the country, by virtue of their pending warrants of arrest.

President Rodrigo Duterte halted negotiations in November 2017 due to continued attacks against state forces and civilians.

Arevalo said the military respects the decision of the President to launch a final attempt at peace.

“The AFP respects and supports the wisdom of the Commander-in-Chief in issuing such pronouncements,” he said.

“We understand that those instructions to Secretary Bello are in the nature of exploratory discussion with Mr. Sison and are meant towards the attainment of sustainable peace which is the President’s and also the AFP’s ultimate desire,” Arevalo said.

Despite this, the AFP will continue with its successful focus on military operations in support of the National Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict which is now reaping the gains tremendously in terms of New People’s Army neutralization and the enormous support of the local government and the people, he added. “If we are to negotiate, therefore, we do so from the position of strength,” the AFP spokesman said.

He also reiterated the AFP leadership has always been “wholly supportive of the peace process” along with the rest of the Filipino nation who are yearning for lasting and legitimate peace.