Lorenzana says gov't ready to resume peace talks but sincerity of Reds needed

The Philippine government is ready to return to the peace negotiating table with the communists only if the latter will be sincere, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday.

"Yes the peace talks, the government is ready, the President is ready but kailangan lang natin ng... what we want from them is a little bit of sincerity," Lorenzana told CNN Philippines.

"Kasi napakinggan naman natin 'yung sinabi ni (NDF panel chairman Luis) Jalandoni na the peace talk is only a means to advance the revolutionary movement of the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army) so the peace talks instrument lang," he added.

Lorenzana also dared the members of progressive group Makabayan bloc to condemn the communist group and their activities if they want the Philippines to prosper.

It was Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan who stressed the importance of aggressive peace negotiations in ushering economic development during a Senate inquiry on Tuesday about the alleged red tagging of the military.

For Southern Luzon Command chief Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr., resuming the peace talks with the rebels is foolish.

President Rodrigo Duterte terminated peace negotiations with the communist group in November 2017, with the Palace citing the alleged lack of sincerity and commitment on the part of the communists.

In 2018, the Department of Justice asked a Manila court to formally declare the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.

The said petition has been junked and then revived again by the court in February 2020. To date, a ruling regarding this is still pending.—AOL, GMA News