Go to rebels: ‘Trust us’

Rebel groups should not waste the opportunity of talking and possibly striking a peace deal with the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has the pure sincerity of ending the decades-old armed conflict in the country.

Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go stressed that he and the President have been longing for a lasting peace, particularly in Mindanao, to bring about development in the country side.

Go called on various rebel groups to take advantage of the Duterte administration’s resolve to end the armed conflict and attain peace.

“I am for peace, especially in Mindanao with the Moro rebels, and with the Left. The President also wants long lasting peace,” Go said.

“He (Mr. Duterte) does not like Filipinos killing each other. No Filipino would want to kill a fellow Filipino,” he added.

Go expressed full support to the possible resumption of peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP) but stressed the need for sincerity on the part of the Left.

“I was among those who were approached by the Left leaders regarding peace (talks). I support it. The President and I have been talking, we have only one goal — that is to have long lasting peace and development in our country,” Go said.

The senator cited previous instances when he and Mr. Duterte would trek the mountains to fetch “prisoners of war” from NPA camps in Mindanao.

“We trusted you. We went up the mountains of Davao, even Mindanao, to get captured soldiers without any bodyguard and firearms. Just the two of us, we trusted you. Now, trust the government. The President has all the sincerity to talk with you,” Go said.

“You can never have another leader like him whom you can trust,” he added.

The President earlier expressed openness to resume the stalled peace negotiations with the CPP-NPA-NDFP.

“I hope that this resumption of the peace negotiation will prosper. And the administration of President Duterte can make this a legacy to the Filipino people,” Go said.

The CPP-NPA-NDFP may proceed with any of its planned gatherings without the military interfering, the Department of National Defense (DND) assured on Monday.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana issued the statement following confirmation by “Ka Oto,” the spokesman of the Guerrilla Front 16, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Command, that the CPP was forced to cancel its long-planned annual plenum last 29 December in Bacuag, Surigao del Norte because of the tension between its armed unit, the NPA and government security forces.

The yearly event is a gathering of leaders from the CPP, NPA and NDFP and this year’s plenum “would have been for the enlightenment of the state of the peace talks as we are returning to the negotiating table,” according to the local communist leader.

Lorenzana insisted the CPP “can go ahead” with their activities, traditionally held every 26th of December in connection with the communist group’s founding anniversary, as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has other matters to focus on.

“So, they have a plenum? They can go ahead. Our troops are not prohibited from doing their other duties such as law enforcement and assisting the local populace,” Lorenzana said in a text message to reporters.

The defense chief, however, refuted Ka Oto’s claim that the AFP is an “unwilling party” in the Yuletide truce which was already marred by a couple of incidents involving both sides.

In fact, the NPA launched attacks just hours after Malacañang released the order of President Rodrigo Duterte last 23 December declaring ceasefire.

The NPA was tagged as the mastermind behind the twin blasts that rocked Cotabato and Maguindanao last week that left at least 22 wounded.

Lorenzana maintained that whatever combative action that will come from the government’s side would only be reactionary.

“The ceasefire prohibits them (military) from engaging the NPA in combat. Our troops will only react in self-defense,” he stressed.

Go, however, stressed that the President will not hesitate to terminate the ceasefire if he found any violation on the part of the NPA.

“The President is interested in knowing whether there was violation. If there was, you cannot blame the President if he terminates the unilateral ceasefire on the part of the government,” the senator said.