‘Nothing will happen,’ Eleazar says on peace talks with Reds

Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar on Thursday said "nothing will happen" on peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army- National Democratic Front in the wake of the recent Masbate landmine blast involving communist rebels that killed two people, including college football player Kieth Absalon.

In a statement, Eleazar supported President Rodrigo Duterte's previous statement that he no longer wants to have peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF because they are asking too much.

“Kaya nakikiisa kami sa pananaw ng Pangulong Duterte na isang malaking kalokohan na if we would resume the peace talks with them. Nakita naman natin na walang pinipiling lugar, panahon at biktima ang mga komunistang rebeldeng ito,” he added.

(We are one with President Duterte's statement that it is a waste of time to resume peace talks. We saw how these rebels are not choosing a time and place and victims.)

Eleazar also said the PNP supports “genuine peace,” adding that the NPA ”will never embrace the concept of peace.”

Several officials denounced the killing by a landmine of labor leader Nolven Absalon and his cousin, football player Kieth, who both died following an explosion in Masbate last June 6, citing that it is a violation of international laws.

The CPP-NPA earlier expressed remorse over the incident, saying they are taking full responsibility and will launch an independent investigation on the incident. — Consuelo Marquez/RSJ, GMA News