Gov’t says communists using peace talks to get rid of terror tag

The government accused communist rebels yesterday of using the peace talks to have them removed from the list of terrorists of the United States and the European Union.

Chief government negotiator Nieves Confesor said in a statement from Malacañang that the National Democratic Front (NDF) had unilaterally withdrew from the negotiations because the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army (NPA), and communist leader Jose Ma. Sison had not been taken off the terrorist lists.

"This decision unmasked NDF’s real intention in the peace negotiations," read the statement. "We are not surprised, however, by the decision of the NDF. We have seen a lot of their double talk in the past. While they proclaim their desire for peace - they foment violence in our communities. We have known enough of their ambuscades and assassinations of civilians and non-combatants," it said.

Confesor said the NDF’s withdrawal from the peace talks would not distract the government from pursuing peace with the rebels at the local level with the help of local officials and communities.

"Peace talks is just one of the components of our peace efforts," she said. "In line with this, the government shall vigorously support the peace initiatives of the local government units and communities in forging peace settlements with the communist rebels on the ground."

Confesor said it appears that the NDF has no intention in forging peace based on the atrocities the NPA has been committing despite the peace talks. Based on the NDF game plan, the rebels will give the public various explanations for their withdrawal from the talks - except the real story, she added.

Confesor said the NDF that would be on the losing end in withdrawing from the talks as it would endanger the gains they have already made, specifically the political space provided under The Hague Joint Declaration and other signed agreements, including the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

NDF leaders and members will also lose the safety and immunity guarantees they currently enjoy under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), which is being enforced to allow peace negotiations to continue, she added.

Earlier, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the National Security Council is expected to convene within the month to discuss actions the government would undertake after the NDF’s unilateral withdrawal from the peace talks.

These include the possible arrest of NDF-CPP members and leaders enjoying immunity from apprehension by authorities under the JASIG, he added.

Local peace initiatives enjoy the full support of the people as can be seen from the popular clamor from various stakeholders, observers said.

The NDF is the umbrella organization of all communist underground and front organizations in the country. The CPP is its political arm, while the NPA, with an estimated strength of 7,000 fully-armed guerrillas, is its armed wing. The NDF earlier claimed that it was withdrawing from the negotiations after predicting the downfall of the Arroyo administration. — Paolo Romero