NDF: Special peace envoy an ignoramus

Peace negotiations between the government and the communist rebels have yet to resume and already it may hit a potential stumbling block.

The National Democratic Front (NDF), the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), described yesterday presidential adviser Norberto Gonzales as an "ignoramus" for saying that "communism is passé and armed struggle is no longer valid."

Fidel Agcaoili, spokesman for the rebel peace negotiating panel, said the rebel leadership was "displeased" with the appointment of Gonzales as a negotiator.

Last week President Arroyo appointed Gonzales, her adviser for special concerns, and Presidential Management Staff chief Silvestre Afable to hold informal talks with the rebels.

"We do not welcome (Gonzales) to be such," Agcaoili said, adding that they consider Gonzales a "political hustler."

"We cannot expect him to understand what is revolutionary commitment," Agcaoili said. "We have utter contempt for him for trying to steal the scene from the (go-vernment) negotiating panel." Agcaoili did not say if they would still meet with Gonzales.

He alleged that Gonzales "betrayed" the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the past "by supplying intelligence information to the US and Philippine intelligence agencies even during the time of Marcos." Agca-oili did not elaborate.

The MNLF under Nur Misuari signed a peace agreement with the government in September 1996 after fighting for more than two decades in Mindanao. A splinter group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, is currently discussing peace with the Arroyo administration.

Last Friday, CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison said the communist leadership was considering whether to terminate the talks after Mrs. Arroyo ordered an intensified campaign against the New People’s Army (NPA), the CPP’s armed wing.

Despite the renewed hostility, he said that his side was still waiting informal efforts to reopen the talks. But he added they would not accept any terms that amount to the "capitulation" of the insurgent movement.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye earlier said the appointment of Gonzales and Afable proves that the government was willing to negotiate peace despite an earlier order by Mrs. Arroyo for an intensified campaign against the NPA.

Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles said Gonzales is adept in "off-the-road" negotiations and his background as head of the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) might just convince the rebels to go back to the negotiating table.

Although the PDSP and the CPP "do not see eye to eye in terms of their revolutionary aspirations," Nograles said "this would provide the right balance in the peace negotiation."

"The fact that Gonzales is now actively involved in helping the government can serve as an eye opener to the NDF that joining the political mainstream does not necessarily mean that one has given up his ideological belief and revolutionary aspiration," he said.

Eduardo Ermita, the presidential adviser on the peace talks, said informal or "back-channel" talks would continue despite a decision by the United States last week to tag the CPP as a terrorist organization.

Silvestre Bello, the government’s chief negotiator, said his panel would be able to submit a draft peace agreement within two weeks for Mrs. Arroyo’s approval.

Once the draft settlement is approved, it would be submitted to the other side for approval, he said.

However, with the appointment of back-channel negotiators, Bello said he became unsure about his panel’s role in the talks. "Whether President Arroyo is taking a new track or framework, we don’t know about that," he said.

"But what is important is to pursue the peace process with vigor," Bello quickly added.

Bunye said Gonzales and Afable were appointed because the President wanted to explore "all avenues" in reaching a settlement. "And, hopefully, this would speed up the peace negotiation."