NDF Southern Tagalog: Localized peace talks ‘desperate’ attempt by gov’t

The National Democratic Front - Southern Tagalong (NDF-ST) on Sunday said that government plans to conduct localized peace talks are "desperate" attempts of the administration to bait them into working with the state.

"Isang desperadong aksyon ni Duterte ang pagpapakana ng localized peace talks upang bitagin ang mamamayan sa pakikipagsabwatan sa pasistang rehimen at sa mersenaryong AFP," the NDF-ST said in an emailed statement.

"Tinutuligsa ng National Democratic Front - Southern Tagalog ang pakanang localized peace talks ng rehimeng US-Duterte."

The group's statement comes after presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. earlier this month said local government units may conduct localized peace negotiations with communist rebels in their respective areas.

"Kailanman, hindi lamang isang lokal na isyu ang suliranin sa lupa at ang dulot nitong kawalan ng kabuhayan ng mamamayan. Nananatiling ang kawalan ng tunay na repormang agraryo at pambansang industriyalisasyon ang siyang ugat ng kahirapan ng mamamayang Pilipino at pangunahing dahilan ng armadong tunggalian sa bansa," said the group.

The Communist Part of the Philippines (CPP), of which the NDF is a part, already earlier rejected the initiative, as did the CPP's armed wing, the New People's Army.

The same statement called on NDF members in Southern Tagalog not to engage in localized peace talks.

"Nananawagan ang NDF-ST sa mamamayan ng ST at buong bansa na itakwil ang mga pakana ni Duterte na localized peace talks at katambal na ECLIP upang dambungin ang pera ng taumbayan," it said.

The Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) is the government program which gives assistance to rebels who surrender to the administration.

"Kasabay nito ay patuloy silang magpunyagi sa pagsusulong ng digmang bayan upang kamtin ang kapayapayaang nakabatay sa katarungan sa harap ng muli na namang pagkakansela ng peace talks," the NDF - ST said. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News