Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The National Democratic Front (NDF) is hoping to continue peace talks with the government, despite President Duterte’s recent pronouncements against the communist rebels.
Speaking to CNN Philippines on Sunday, NDF-Negotiating Panel Senior Adviser Luis Jalandoni cited Assistant Communications Secretary Marie Banaag’s statement that the government remains open for peace negotitations.
“We think the peace talks are really on track to achieve significant developments for peace in the Philippines,” Jalandoni said.
But Duterte on Saturday announced he is terminating peace talks with the rebels. He said he couldn’t meet their demands to release more than 400 political prisoners.
He also said the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), had attacked soldiers despite its ceasefire declaration.
On Sunday, Duterte said he now considers the CPP-NPA-NDF a terrorist group.
Duterte said he will only change his decision to end peace talks with the rebels if there is a compelling reason.
“I think the compelling reason is to achieve peace with justice for the Philippines, achieve land reform, free distribution of land, national industrialization,” Jalandoni said.
Jalandoni hopes the fourth round of peace talks with the GRP (government peace panel) in Oslo, Norway will push through on February 22-24.
“We think it is worth continuing the efforts as stated by Ms. Banaag from Malacañang,” he said.
Jalandoni reacted to the Duterte branding the CPP-NPA-NDF as terrorists.
“I think the people on the ground will say the CPP-NPA have been fighting for their interest. And I think also President Duterte knows that after more than 30 years of cooperation with the revolutionary forces in Mindanao,” he said.
Waiting for official notice
The NDF said it is waiting for the GRP’s formal notice on the termination of the peace talks.
“The NDFP stands firm in its commitment to struggle for a just and lasting peace in the country in accordance with the national and democratic aspirations of the Filipino people,” it said in a statement.
Duterte has threatened to have the communists — including the freed rebels — arrested unless they surrender, but the NDF clarified this is not allowed under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).
The NDF said the freed NDF members are protected from rearrest under the JASIG.
