The need for sincerity

As a peace-loving citizen of this country, I would like to raise my personal views on the sincerity of the CPP/NPA/NDF with regard to the “peace talks” especially their demand to the government to free its consultants Alan Jazminez or “Ka Dex”, a Communist Party of the Philippines leader and Tirso Alcantara or “Ka Bart”, NPA commander who are both facing criminal charges.

With Ka Dex facing murder and rebellion charges and Ka Bart being implicated in 23 criminal cases, I find the demand totally ridiculous and unacceptable.

If the CPP/NPA/NDF is really sincere in negotiating peace with the government and people, they should cease asking demands that will put the talks in jeopardy considering that the same demand was rejected by the government in 2009. And though the release of a political prisoner is generally a precondition in most peace talks, the same should be done only on a case to case basis. It is just proper and imperative for the government to determine if said detainee has committed a crime which would hold him liable to society. If it is otherwise, then we will be put in a situation where an individual can rise up above the law.

Rather than making demands which only causes friction between the negotiating parties, it would be better for the CPP/NPA/NDF to show that they truly empathize with the Filipinos’ long desire for lasting peace by grabbing the opportunity to cooperate with the “daang matuwid” government.

Sadly, none of their moves seem to support our cry for lasting peace. Despite the ongoing “peace talks” with the government, the numerous crimes of extortions, burning sprees, bombing incidents, massive damage to properties, ambushes and killings that these NPAs commit relentlessly continue. These are manifestations of desperation and clear evidence that the CPP/NPA/NDF is never sincere and never wants peace at all.  

 I hope that the CPP/NPA realize sooner that peace is vital to address the government issues that they claim they are fighting for.