(Eagle News) — The Palace on Tuesday reiterated there should be an “enabling environment” for government peace talks with communist rebels to resume, even as it thanked House lawmakers for signing a resolution calling for the resumption of such.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said “genuine sincerity” on the part of the rebels should first be seen—he said they should “cease their hostilities against innocent civilians and government forces; end their extortion activities, violent streaks and wanton killings; and lay down their arms and return to the fold of law and restart to live normal lives.”
He noted that it was “unfortunate” that communists, however, “have become spoilers of peace because of their penchant for double talk and treachery” and their motives for “greater control and influence.”
He said this was despite the fact that the President has always been “committed to peace.”
“Right from the very beginning of his term, the President’s position has always been clear and consistent,” he said.
Even then, Roque said that “even without the peace talks, the government’s efforts at forging peace with government rebels have been gaining ground, as evidenced by the surrender of NPA fighters.”
“Rest assured that the government will exhaust any and all means to achieve lasting peace towards unity and progress,” Roque said.
“We recognize the independence of the House of Representatives in filing House Resolution 1803..We thank those who signed the resolution for their support to the peace agenda of the administration,” Roque said.
Sixty-one lawmakers signed House Resolution 1803.
“Continuing the peace talks would benefit the Filipino people, most of whom are poor peasants and workers, as the agreements on agrarian reform and national industrialization may address their issues and concerns and help provide relief for their economic hardships,” they said.
President Duterte terminated peace talks last year, fed up with what he said were the “atrocities” committed by the communist rebels.
He said these atrocities include the killing of a baby, and extortion activities.