AFP backs resumption of peace talks but calls on CPP to show sincerity

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday expressed support for a bid to resume peace talks with communist rebels, but it called on the Communist Party of the Philippines to show sincerity.

In a statement on Saturday, the AFP said military chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. welcomed the proposal as it "is a manifestation that the CPP-New People's Army-National Democratic Front continues to trust President Benigno Aquino III as a true advocate of peace."

But Catapang urged the CPP-NPA-NDF to show sincerity in its actions during peace negotiations.

"The CPP-NPA-NDF must stop the abductions, killings, extortion activities, IED attacks, and other criminal acts which benefit no one, except those who actually profit from violence," the statement quoted Catapang as saying.

Just last Tuesday, suspected NPA rebels ransacked the house of Monkayo, Compostela Valley Mayor Joselito Brillantes Jr. and killed a security guard, the military said on Thursday.

Eastern Mindanao Command public affairs chief Captain Alberto Caber said the rebels ransacked Brillantes' home at about 10:30 p.m. and carted away eight high-powered firearms.
 
He added that a civilian security guard, Roberto Baysa, was killed while defending his post.

On the same day, just a few minutes before the incident, another group of heavily-armed NPA guerrillas attacked the patrol base of the AFP's 25th Infantry Battalion in Brgy. Banlag.
 
One member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit was killed in the attack.
 
The NPA also set up a road block on the national highway in Bankerohan Sur in Montevista town and in Brgys. Olaycon and Banlag, both of Monkayo.

Last January, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda was quoted as saying that the Philippine government does not want talks with communist rebels to drag on without progress.
 
“We don’t want to go back to the situation where the talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF would not be time-bound and are not doable. So those are the things that we’re looking for,” Lacierda said.
 
NDF chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison last December said the CPP was open to resuming peace negotiations with the Philippine government. The previous talks ended in July last year.

He added that the government should release NDF consultants and 500 political prisoners to pave the way for the talks.

But Malacañang earlier turned down a call to release supposed communist leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon. — Amanda Fernandez/LBG, GMA News