Dear Editor,

The proposal to resume peace talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines after a six-year hiatus has become the talk of the town in the past days but for the wrong reasons.

While the government side is keen on reviewing the possibilities of the peace talk resumption, it needs to thoroughly look at the underlying motive of the Reds to call for peace talks.

The government has already reached a milestone during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte when he launched an all-out war against the rebels, which led to thousands of insurgents surrendering to the military.

Both sides have incurred heavy losses over the years, but the previous administration's policy regarding the conduct of military operations against the rebels should not be undermined.

And now that the peace talks are being pushed anew by rebel forces, it is noteworthy what the leftist movement is planning because, let's face it, the peace talks will become a platform for the insurgents to demand — not request — the freedom of their arrested leaders and comrades.

Just last week, Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. clarified that there are still no formal peace talks with the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

This, as he lamented that there was only a "mis-appreciation" when the Oslo joint communique between the government and the NDFP was released to the public, and while the NDFP has initiated the exploratory talks, it was blown out of proportion, as Teodoro stressed that they are exploratory talks without any preconditions whatsoever.

The government should be wary of these kinds of tactics from the Reds because one wrong step could lead to the recuperation of weakening communists.

I also totally agree with the Armed Forces of the Philippines' move to continue its ongoing focused military operations against the remaining communist insurgents in the country, especially the CPP-NDPF's armed wing, the New People's Army.

Just recently, government troops exchanged fire with New People's Army guerrillas near the town of Balayan three weeks after the government and the rebels agreed to resume negotiations aimed at ending the near 55-year insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives.

The clash resulted in the death of six NPA members and a soldier, while three soldiers were wounded.

These situations should solidify the government's stance that military operations should continue to ensure the safety of the people and the nation because, as I see it, the insurgents will not stop until they successfully overthrow the government.

I also appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to think twice — or thrice, for that matter — about negotiating with rebel forces and resuming peace talks because, as far as the military is concerned, they are still staging armed attacks in various parts of the country.

Peace talks should ensure peace, but if these attacks continue, then the government should be able to realize that it will be futile to negotiate with communists and will have no recourse but to crush all remaining rebels.

As a line from a song goes, "You can't talk peace and have a gun."

James Hammet

metaltothecore@yahoo.com