(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte talked with Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP) leaders, including National Democratic Front negotiating panel chairperson Fidel Agcaoili, and the Tiamzon couple in Malacanang on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.
The President met with Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, and Agcaoili in a meeting at the Music Room.
Also present were Rosario Agcaoili, Dr. Joy Alcantara, and former Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno.
There were no details released as to what the President talked about with the communist leaders, but the meeting came about after the recent spate of attacks by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on civilians, including the attack on two Davao plants of Lapanday owned by the Lorenzo family.
Earlier, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza expressed dismay over the recent spate of NPA attacks on civilians and private properties.
“We are dismayed that although peace negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF are now making some substantial headway, their forces still continue to wage attacks that victimize civilians and inflict damage on the civilian sector,” Dureza said in a statement.
“Although a bilateral ceasefire is not yet in place, the public’s common reaction to these incidents questions the sincerity of those whom we talk and deal with across the table. The public also questions their capacity to manage and control their forces on the ground. There are even calls now to stop the talks altogether and pursue an all-out military offensive against their armed groups,” he said.
Dureza said there is no doubt that the government’s security forces — the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) — “must and can deal with these contingencies.”
Dureza said that the Philippine government would continue to seek a principled settlement with the communists.
“Our expectation is that our unrelenting efforts in addressing the issues, bridging the ideological divide and finding a common ground may eventually pay off and bring about just, sustainable and enduring peace in the land,” his statement said.
