Petition to declare suspected communists as terrorists still in play
MANILA, Philippines — The government will not withdraw the petition asking the court to declare more than 600 individuals as terrorists despite the latest pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte that he is willing to talk peace with rebels anew.
On Wednesday night, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza announced Duterte has directed his office to work towards the resumption of the talks.
During a press briefing Wednesday, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the president’s earlier pronouncement would not have an effect on the Justice department petition filed in a Manila court last February as the possibility of reviving the peace negotiations with the rebels—which Duterte scrapped last year—would have to be premised on certain preconditions.
“But for now, that statement by the president, which is premised on certain preconditions, will not affect in any way the pending petition for the proscription of certain individuals as terrorists or violators of the Human Security Act,” Guevarra said.
He noted that Duterte's willingness to resume the peace talks shows the president's dedication to uphold lasting peace in the country.
“The president always keeps an open mind regarding this matter. I know that the inclusive and lasting peace is always on his mind. And if the continuation of peace talks will help, then why not?” Menardo said in a mix of English and Filipino.
The president, a self-described socialist, was initially seen by many as the best hope to put an end to decades-long insurgency. But his relationship with the communist rebels went sour after the latter kept staging attacks against innocent civilians and state forces.
The chief executive on Tuesday expressed his willingness to go back to the negotiating table as long as the communist rebels stop their hostile activities and collection of so-called revolutionary taxes.
“You know, we are not enemies. Even if I want to fight, my heart tells me that I am killing my fellow Filipinos. But the problem is you are doing the same. I want to talk peace with you,” Duterte said during an event in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro.
READ: Duterte tells communists: I want to talk peace with you
Several rights groups denounced the petition, aiming to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army as terror groups and more than 600 individuals—most of whom are activists and rights defenders—as terrorists.
They called it a “virtual hit list” as it puts the lives of the individuals at grave risk.
Under the Human Security Act of 2007, suspected terrorists can be ordered arrested even without a warrant.
The petition included United Nations special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people Victoria Tauli-Corpuz and former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo on the list of terrorists.
Also included on the list were CPP founder Jose Maria Sison, former National Democratic Front of the Philippines chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni, NDFP consultant Rafael Baylosis and alleged CPP leaders Benito and William Tiamzon.
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