Palace on halt to NPA attacks: Put it in writing

MANILA, Philippines - The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) should put in writing the recall of its order to intensify attacks against government forces, one of the issues that stalled the peace talks, Malacañang said yesterday. 

“A formal statement should be given if at all. And, of course, the accompanying confidence-building measures must be in place,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said, adding that the goodwill measures would be dependent on what the National Democratic Front (NDF) is willing to offer. 

 The government suspended the peace negotiations with the communists because of the New People’s Army’s continued attacks against security forces and the CPP order to intensify offensives against the military and police in defiance of President Duterte’s martial law declaration in Mindanao. 

 The NDF, which represents the communists in the peace talks, has asked the CPP to withdraw the order. 

 In a statement released over the weekend, the NDF accused the government of making “unreasonable demands” with its chairman Fidel Agcaoili pointing out that there are “no agreements on reforms” in place yet. He also said the attacks were only a response to the military’s intensified offensives and “widespread human rights violations preceding and following the declaration of martial law.” 

 In Davao City, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is still willing to do localized talks with the NPA for as long as the group lays down its arms and cease attacking police and military units. She earlier described the NPA as a terrorist group guided by obsolete ideals and principles.

Iglesia Filipina Independiente supreme bishop Ephraim Fajutagana asked both the government and the communists to resume the peace talks “in the interest of the Filipino masses who are tired of the widespread injustice and poverty.” – With Edith Regalado, Evelyn Macairan