AFP chief urges public condemnation vs. CPP-NPA atrocities hours before talks resume

Armed Forces chief of staff General Eduardo Año called for a public condemnation of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army's (CPP-NPA) extortion and violent activities hours before the resumption of peace talks in The Netherlands on Sunday.

"The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines following a series of violent NPA activities that saw the burning of farm implements and construction equipment employed for infrastructure development called on the public to condemn all these atrocities and anti-development activities," said military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in a statement.

Padilla said Año also appeals to the public to "report all attempts of extortion" of the communist rebels "so that law enforcers and soldiers can act immediately and proactively assist law-abiding citizens."

He said that the military has responded to 104 complaints against the NPA's illegal activities from February to March this year.

"This was among the reasons why government can not agree to a unilateral ceasefire because the NPA has taken advantage of the ceasefire period to undertake more extortion activities at the expense of legitimate business and peace loving citizens," the military spokesman said.

The fourth round of talks was scheduled from Sunday to Thursday (April 6).

Meeting on timeline, agenda

Secretary Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) told GMA News Online that the fourth round of talks have not officially started as of 7 p.m. (Manila time).

Dureza said both panels have only started meetings to discuss schedules and agree to timelines and agenda items of the peace negotiations.

The OPAAP said that the main agenda items for the fourth round of talks are socioeconomic reforms and the forging of a bilateral ceasefire.

"Both panels have to discuss schedules and agree to timelines and agenda items. Back-channel meetings also done on how to move things. Those meetings still on going," Dureza said in an exchange of Facebook messages with GMA News Online.

Dureza added that the non-declaration of unilateral ceasefire from both sides were also discussed during the meeting, but he did not provide more details.

The CPP-NPA on Saturday explained that it did not declare a unilateral ceasefire by the end of March as promised because the government failed to make the same declaration.

Four conditions

In his speech on Sunday in Cagayan de Oro City, President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his four conditions before the government decides to sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the CPP-NPA.

He reiterated the following conditions in his speech:

• There should be a clear parameters or Terms of Reference for the Ceasefire;
• The government shall not recognize any territorial claims of the CPP-NPA-NDF;
• The CPP-NPA-NDF should cease the collection of revolutionary tax and the conduct of extortion and extraction and arson; and
• The CPP-NPA-NDF shall release all prisoners.

Duterte reiterated that he "hates" the long-standing fight between the government and the CPP-NPA/

"I've been telling everybody that this fight has been going on for the last 50 years. I hate it. I do not want it. Kapag may namamatay diyan—kahit pa rebelde—dumudugo 'yung puso ko kasi puro tayo Pilipino. Bigyan mo ako ng ibang kalaban, 'wag lang ang aking kababayan," Duterte said during his visit at the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City.

"But I am occupying a position with the burden of getting this country its peace. Otherwise, wala akong magawa," he added. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/ALG, GMA News