LAWMAKERS on Saturday questioned the sincerity of the communist movement in the peace talks with the government and urged its leaders to reciprocate the goodwill shown by the government in declaring a unilateral ceasefire.
In interviews with the Manila Standard, congressmen Gary Alejano of the Magdalo party-list, Jose Antonio Alvarado of Bulacan, Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte and Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City said it was wrong for the communists to attack militiamen in Davao del Norte despite the government’s unilateral ceasefire.
Alejano said that the ceasefire should be two-way on the part of the communists and the government because it is a decisive requisite before the success of the peace talks.
“Otherwise, if the attacks continue, it would mean two things: one, they are not sincere in the talks, or two, they’re not one and thus have no control over their troops on the ground,” Alejano said.
“Either way, the President would have a clear indication to scuttle the talks,” Alejano, a former Marine officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said.
But Alejano stressed “it’s only talk and therefore words must be carefully chosen… However, there must be a limit to everything. Once they ignore the request and continue to attack our soldiers then the president must promptly withdraw the ceasefire,” Alejano said.
Alvarado said communist group should also declare their own ceasefire so that its members on the ground will be guided by the ceasefire declaration of the government while discussing peace on the negotiating table.
“It could have been better if they could have shown a gesture of goodwill by declaring their own version of ceasefire,” Alvarado said.
“The attack in Davao can be viewed otherwise. I still hope calmness prevails, and that peace, under a regime of justice and love, will be achieved in the near future,” he added.
Barbers, for his part, said the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front should sanction its members who ambushed the militiamen in Davao del Norte.
“The NPA should show sincerity in honoring ceasefire by castigating, reprimanding or even punishing [its] people who violated it,” Barbers said.
“However, just like in our Philippine National Police and Armed Forces, there are rogue cops, soldiers or government employees who simply do not respect order and our laws,” Barbers said.
Tambunting said questions on the sincerity of the CPP-NPA is inevitable.
“I think the leadership of the CPP-NPA is sincere but it takes time for the leaders to convey it to the rank and file, specially in remote areas. Also, there may be special situations in areas that may have precipitated the encounter,” Tambunting said.
NPA rebels staged an ambush against a militia group in Davao del Norte on July 27, two days after the unilateral ceasefire declaration of President Duterte.
Reports said troops from the 72nd Infantry Battalion were on their way back to base when they were attacked by the communist rebels.
The troops were able to return to their camp after the AFP announced the Suspension of Military Operations on Tuesday, following the ceasefire declaration by the government.