NPA attacks cast doubt on continuing peace talks with Reds —Palace

Malacañang on Saturday cast doubt on the future of peace negotiations between the government and the communist insurgents amid the recent offensives by the New People's Army (NPA), particularly a raid in a town in the province of Iloilo.

"Several recent serious offensives in Mindanao and elsewhere in the country allegedly committed by the CPP-NPA-NDFP (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines) forces further fueled the public's doubts on whether it is still worthwhile to continue the peace negotiations with them," Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in an interview on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Abella's comment came after it was reported that the NPA, last Sunday morning, raided Maasin Municipal Police Station where they took several firearms from the police station, including eight M16 rifles, four Glock 9mm pistols, five handheld radios, a base radio, and two laptops. 

But no policemen were hurt during the raid.

"We are disturbed by the recent NPA attacks, considering that their leaders in Europe issued a statement condemning the incident in Marawi even offering to refrain from undertaking offensive operations in Mindanao to enable our government forces to deal with [and] focus on the rebellion still happening," the Palace official emphasized.

"These NPA attacks disrupt the conducive and enabling environment indispensable in peace making and peace building," he added.

Abella noted that the government will await further validation of the recent incidents and will undertake corresponding and appropriate steps to deal decisively with the situation.

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza earlier expressed dismay over the recent raid of the communist rebel group. 

The government panel cancelled the fifth round of negotiations with the Reds in The Netherlands last May after the NDFP called on the NPA to intensify attacks against the government after Mindanao was placed under martial law. — Ted Cordero/MDM, GMA News