Stop, look and listen

Dear Editor,

The Philippine government's recent decision to resume exploratory peace talks with communist rebels came as a surprise since the previous administration had launched an "all-out" war to totally eradicate insurgency in the country.

In what was seemingly a noble and righteous move, the national government — through Peace Process Adviser Carlito Galvez — stressed that the agreement between the two parties acknowledged their recognition of the fundamental issues underlying the armed conflict.

What Galvez was referring to is the Oslo Joint Communique agreement, which involves the potential removal of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its associated groups, like the New People's Army, from the government's list of designated terror organizations.

Now, I am not against gaining just and lasting peace, but this move has thrown to the proverbial trash can the gains that the Duterte administration made when it launched a relentless offensive against the communist insurgents.

The creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte undoubtedly had a significant impact on his administration's battle against insurgents.

For one, hundreds of insurgents have already laid down their arms and returned to the fold of the law. The Duterte administration has welcomed them with open arms and even provided sources of livelihood as they turn a new leaf.

With the resumption of the peace talks it will likely spark more insurgencies, as Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. stressed that their past experiences with peace talks with the Reds did not bode well for the peace and order situation.

Brawner said the government had several talks with the communist groups, with some political prisoners being freed in disguise for peace negotiations while trying to strengthen their ground-armed wing, the NPA.

I also agree with what Vice President Sara Duterte has quipped, as she called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to review the amnesty proclamations for former communist rebels, which she described as an "agreement with the devil."

She stressed that while she supports the peace process, the grant of amnesty to the former rebels, especially communists, would not achieve genuine peace. She added that history proved communist rebels are not sincere and use the peace negotiations to betray the government and deceive the people.

VP Sara Duterte is right. The resumption of peace talks will undermine the memory of those who sacrificed their lives protecting communities from the bloody attacks of the NPA.

If these peace talks push through, then the nation should brace itself for more insurgent attacks, as these people are already blinded to a wrong ideology, and the way to progress is to topple the government and enforce their own.

Now, if Marcos does not heed the call of the Vice President to stop, look, and listen to those opposing the resumption of the peace talks, then we must be ready.

The devil always takes his part of the deal, no matter the cost.

Kent Sebastian

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