Palace says gov't doubts Reds' sincerity in peace talks

Malacañang on Saturday questioned the "sincerity" of communists in attaining peace following the government panel's decision to put on hold the 5th round of talks.

"We question the sincerity of the CPP/NPA/NDFP, (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army/National Democratic Front of the Philippines) if they truly are in pursuit of peaceful coexistence," presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

He added: "The Duterte administration would rather pursue the path of genuine dialogue to build a nation worthy of its citizens."

Abella said the government panel's decision to withdraw from the 5th round of talks was based on the CPP's order to its armed wing, the NPA, to intensify operations against the government following President Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

"This decision was reached in the light of the latest public announcement by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to accelerate and intensify its attacks against the government due to the President’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao," he said.

The government temporarily withdrew from the 5th round of peace negotiations with the NDFP citing the CPP's recent order.

"The most serious development of late and which puts in great jeopardy as to whether or not we can still keep the court of peace in this peace table is the blatant publicly announced decision of the Communist Party of the Philippines , the political organ of our counterparts across the table who are here, ordering their forces on the ground to accelerate and intensify attacks against the government in the face of the declaration of martial law in Mindanao..." presidential peace adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza said in a statement read during the opening of the fifth round of talks in The Netherlands. —Anna Felicia Bajo/ALG, GMA News