Duterte tells NDF: No coalition government

MANILA, Philippines – After a spat with the communist group, President Duterte met with peace consultants of the National Democratic Front (NDF) at Malacañang on Monday, where he reiterated that a coalition government would not work.

The meeting took place five days before the resumption of peace talks between the government and the NDF in Oslo, Norway.

“I was talking to the NDF panel and we had the discussion about how to shape a government without necessarily going into the complicated task of coalition because I don’t think it would work,” Duterte said in a speech after the oath taking of new appointees at the Palace yesterday. 

“I said that maybe, what would come out of these talks in Oslo, was that I would insist that I retain control of the military and the police, and they can have the mundane matters of government,” he added.     

Government negotiators who attended last Monday’s meeting were panel chairman Silvestre Bello III, Angela Librado-Trinidad, former agrarian reform secretary Hernani Braganza and retired prosecutor Antonio Arellano.

The NDF consultants who met with Duterte were former Bayan Muna party-list representative Satur Ocampo, NDF panel member Fidel Agcaoili and NDF lawyer Edre Olalia.

Also present during the meeting were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morante. 

The NDF is the political umbrella of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), whose armed wing is the New People’s Army (NPA).

Duterte has given government posts to people identified with the Left, fulfilling a campaign promise to form an inclusive government. None of the posts are related to security.

Those named to the Cabinet were Rafael Mariano as agrarian reform secretary, Judy Taguiwalo as social welfare chief and Liza Maza, lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

There were even calls for Duterte to appoint former rebel priest and Maribojoc, Bohol mayor Leoncio Evasco as interior secretary.

Evasco, who served as Duterte’s campaign manager, was named Secretary to the Cabinet.  

Word war

The communist rebels have been waging an armed struggle against the government for the last 45 years, the longest running insurgency in Asia.  

The Duterte administration aims to forge a settlement with the rebels by resuming the peace talks that were stalled in 2013 due to disagreements over jailed communist leaders.

As a goodwill measure, Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire with the communists during his first State of the Nation Address last July 25. However, he called off the ceasefire five days later after an NPA attack in Davao del Norte that left one government militiaman dead.

The ambush, which happened on July 27, prodded Duterte to demand that the communists declare their own truce. The rebels, however, failed to reciprocate the government’s declaration within the deadline set by the President.

CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison criticized Duterte for supposedly acting like a bully and forcing the communists to implement their own ceasefire. Some communist leaders also accused soldiers of sabotaging the ceasefire.

Duterte lashed back at the communists, who he said are using prohibited landmines and extorting money from businesses. He also claimed that the rebels are acting as if they have clout even if most of their candidates lost during elections.

The President also threatened to call off the peace talks should the NPA continue to use landmines against soldiers and police officers. 

Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza said the President is determined to talk peace with the communists despite the verbal exchanges.

“While he was hurt by the sharp exchanges between him and CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison, who is based in the Netherlands, he gave assurances that he will walk the extra mile for peace,” Dureza said in a statement.

Dureza said Duterte is open to any proposal that could address the root of rebellion in the countryside.

NDF consultants to join talks

Duterte assured the NDF lawyers that their consultants could fly to Oslo to participate in the talks.

“The President instructed the Bureau of Immigration and the Department of Foreign Affairs to assist the NDF consultants who will be traveling to Oslo for the formal talks slated Aug. 22,” Trinidad said in a statement.

Several detained high-ranking NDF leaders have been allowed to post bail to be able join the talks, which will be hosted by the Royal Norwegian Government.

The government did not oppose their temporary liberties to fast-track the peace negotiations.

Among those allowed by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to join the talks are Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, chairman and secretary general of the CPP, respectively.

The Tiamzons, who are facing murder charges, were arrested in Cebu in 2014.  

Dureza said the Oslo talks are expected to discuss socioeconomic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, security and immunity guarantees, cessation of hostilities and deposition of forces. 

Duterte had vowed to reopen peace negotiations as a campaign promise during the May 2016 elections.

The President is known to have maintained an open line with several high-ranking rebel leaders in Mindanao.

He had secured the release of government soldiers and police officers who were captured by NPA.

But the series of armed encounters have angered the President, who threatened to call off the peace negotiations should the rebels continue to launch offensives and ambuscades against government troops.

Support

The League of Cities of the Philippines has also expressed support for the government’s effort to pursue lasting peace with the communist rebels.

LCP president and Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista will attend the peace talks in Oslo.

Pamintuan has been appointed adviser of the government peace panel and Bautista representative of the local government units.

The Quezon City government has passed a resolution expressing support for the peace talks.

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte endorsed the resolution immediately after President Duterte delivered his State of the Nation Address last month.      

Quezon City is the third local government unit in Metro Manila to approve a similar resolution, after Marikina and Manila. – With Robertzon Ramirez, Artemio Dumlao, Ding Cervantes