“The NPA has not been defeated by the AFP,” Jalandoni said, adding that while Deles and the AFP want the NPA to lessen its tactical offensives, the AFP continues to deploy more troops and terrorize civilians.
“The AFP soldiers are defeated in combat. They do not enjoy the support of the masses. How could they? They violate the rights of ordinary people,” Jalandoni said.
No to local peace talks
In an earlier statement, the Cordillera People’s Democratic Front rejected the offer of local peace talks of the 5th Infantry Division, calling it empty talk.
“The Cordillera People’s Democratic Front shares the view of the rest of the revolutionary movement that localized peace talks are unnecessary and disrespect previous efforts at the national level,” Simon “Ka Filiw” Naogsan, spokesman of the CPDF said.
Jalandoni said it is the policy of the NDFP leadership that peace talks should be done on the national level by a panel. “The issues that need to be addressed are of national scope, including land reform, national sovereignty, Visiting Forces Agreement and so on.”
“The intention [of the military] is to try to split or undermine the revolutionary movement. This will not result in a just and lasting peace. No unit of the NPA or NDFP will agree to local peace talks,” Jalandoni said.
Positive elements
Jalandoni said despite some negative pronouncements of Aquino and the military, there are positive elements within the Aquino government who could help in facilitating the resumption of peace talks.
Jalandoni said no emissary has been sent yet by the new administration, but there are personalities who have begun talking to them. He declined to give any details.
Jalandoni reiterated that the peace talks should be based on the previous 12 agreements duly signed by the GRP and NDFP.
He said both parties should discuss the violations to the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). Both panels, he said, must proceed with the next agenda item, the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER).
Jalandoni said several JASIG-protected NDFP members were abducted and detained.
“Both sides should respect what has been agreed upon in the past otherwise, a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved,” Jalandoni said. (Bulatlat.com)
