Reds in gov’t OK with ex-generals, but after final peace deal—Biazon

Retired generals of the Armed Forces Philippines have agreed to welcome Communists in the new administration, but not before the signing a "final peace deal."

Ex-AFP chief of staff Rodolfo Biazon told dzBB radio on Sunday that he had consulted his colleagues about the matter.

"Ang sabi nila, dapat magkaroon muna ng final peace agreement. [Also] I talked to senior officers at ang sabi nila ganoon din...," Biazon said.

"Kailangan siguro ito ay maging bunga ng peace agreement," he added.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)—through its armed component New Peoples' Army (NPA) and its political arm National Democratic Front (NDF)—has been waging decades-long guerrilla war against the government.

Since 1992, attempts at forging a long-lasting peace agreement have all failed.

Biazon noted that the offer of appointments to incoming President Rodrigo Duterte's Cabinet can be a part of a concession.

"Kung ito ay concession ... is this an offer to the CPP-NPA na kung magkakaroon tayo ng kapayapaan as a result of a final agreement, ito ang posisyong ibibigay.

"O ito kaya ay ... ibibigay namin sa inyo ito the let us see kung mapapatahimik natin ang bayan," Biazon said.

Earleir, Duterte offered to the CPP-NPA the vacancies at the Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Meanwhile, Biazon said that NDF spokesperson Fidel Agcaoili told him about the existence of an initial concession agreement that was reached in 2014, which was similar to Framework Agreement for the Bangsamoro.

Biazon said he did not discuss with Agcaoili the terms of the initial agreement, which should be made public since it is a legal document.

On the other hand, Biazon said Agcaoili had told him about two conditions for the continuation of the peace process: the release of all political prisoners, and no disarmament prior to a final peace agreement.

Supposedly, there are over 500 political prisoners but Agcaoili only asked for the release of 17 to 18 people, who will serve as negotiators and consultants of the CPP.

But Biazon said that the two conditions must first undergo a judicial review.

"[Ang review] ay wala sa kapangyarihan ng executive department, at wala sa Kongreso. Nasa judiciary 'yan. And of course, dedepende 'yan sa nilalaman ng final agreement," Biazon said. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/LBG, GMA News