What do we expect from CPP-NPA?

This is an opinion on the issue published in the Philippine STAR entitled “Revived peace talks a result of backchanneling-Bello” dated Dec. 7, by Sheila Crisostomo.

Honestly, I was surprise by the statement of Labor Secretary Bello that the resumption of peace talks between the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-National Democratic Front (NDF) through his backchanneling with the rebel groups founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison was possible. 

First of all, as a relative of a soldier killed by the New People’s Army during an ambush, the idea of peace talks resumption is a slap to us and to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Why? Because many lives have already been sacrificed by soldiers who fought for peace, by rebels who believe in a dead ideology, and families who suffered much because they lost their loved ones because of their terrorist acts.

Second, once peace talks with the reds resume, this will give the terrorists ample time to regain their strength through continues recruitment of members, continuous killings of government forces, extortion, arson and other atrocities while government proclaiming ceasefire against the CPP-NPA-NDF. What will we expect from this terrorist group? They don’t have a word of honor ever since peace talks started in 1986 and that is the reason why peace talks with them did not succeed even once.

Lastly, I know that efforts from the AFP and other government forces are succeeding to end the insurgency and that’s why rebel surrenderees are continuously increasing. Why is Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes asking for the abolition of the government National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) if they are not threatened by the government’s initiative? I am just curious. Nevertheless, I know that President Duterte’s intention is good that’s why he agrees on the resumption of peace talks with this communist group. But for me, cancellation of at least 40 rounds of talks is already enough. – Felix Boiser, Sariaya, Quezon