Reds want no ceasefire during peace talks

MALOLOS, Bulacan — Communist rebels may reject a bilateral ceasefire with the government when peace talks resume in Beijing, China on March 29.

Gregorio Rosal, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman, said in a telephone interview yesterday that the rebels doubt the sincerity of the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police because they have not adhered to past ceasefire agreements.

"They just change the name of their operations, but the aim is the same –to annihilate the NPA (New People’s Army), meaning they are not sincere in complying with a ceasefire," he said.

However, Rosal said it would be up to the rebel peace panel to decide whether to agree to a ceasefire if the government raises the issue during the peace talks.

The decision of rebel peace negotiators would depend on the suggestions of communist rebel leaders in the country, he added.

Rosal said that the government panel may raise the issue with rebel negotiators during the next round of peace talks in Beijing.

"The revolutionary movement would not give up the armed struggle as long as the root causes of the armed conflict remain," he said.

"The communist movement would continue with the armed struggle until the root causes of insurgency are addressed."

Rosal said the NPA was set up in 1969 because the government failed to solve the causes of the rebellion after the Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan surrendered to then Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay in the early 1950s.

The National Democratic Front has pushed for the removal of the CPP-NPA and its chief political consultant, Jose Ma. Sison from the US, Canadian and European Union list of foreign terrorist organizations, he added.

Meanwhile, Rosal denied that the NPA plans to launch an attack on its 35th founding anniversary on March 29, when peace talks between the government and the communist rebels will resume.

"Hindi naman kami ang umaatake kapag anibersaryo namin," he said, indicating they merely defended themselves against attacks by soldiers. "Kami ang inaatake. Ang nangyayari lang, kami ang nakakapuntos sa AFP.–James Mananghaya