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Monday, December 27, 2004
Gov't to resume peace talks with rebels early 2005
MANILA -- Chief Government Negotiator Silvestre Bello III said Sunday they expect talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to resume by the first quarter of 2005.
He said this despite threats by the communist group that they will employ all forms of struggle to oust the Arroyo government, including exploitation of the Armed Forces grumbles over corruption charges involving ranking military officials.
The CPP-NPA said they would use weapons utilized by Iraqi insurgents like rocket-propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices, mortars and other close range weapons against the Arroyo administration.
Bello said the military and police are well prepared to respond to any threats or attacks from the communist group.
According to him, the government is prepared for any exigencies.
"Following the statement of (NDF peace panel) chairman (Luis) Jalandoni, we expect the peace negotiations to resume by early next year. By early next year, we mean by the first quarter of the year," Bello said.
He said the government remains confident that the communist group would still return to the peace table despite its threats against the administration.
"The reality is, there is an exiting conflict between the government and the NDF and we can expect violence anytime. But how they conduct their warfare, we could not meddle in that," he said.
He added that the upgrading of weapons by the CPP-NPA would not be conducive to the resumption of talks nor their threats to overthrow the administration.
Meanwhile, about a dozen masked demonstrators on Sunday marched through a crowded market in downtown Manila to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the CPP.
"Long live the Communist Party of the Philippines!" the demonstrators shouted as they carried the red banners of the NPA on their way through the Divisoria market.
No police were in sight during the rally, which lasted only a few minutes.
Elsewhere, about 60 guerrillas sang revolutionary songs and performed a skit before 300 supporters and journalists in the town of Rasario in the southern Agusan del Sur province.
Jorge Madlos, NDF spokesman, called on supporters of the late actor-turned-presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. to join forces with communist guerrillas in toppling President Arroyo's government.
Arroyo defeated Poe in a tight race that the actor and his supporters charged was fraudulent. Poe died of a stroke on Dec. 14 at age 65.
The CPP was founded on Dec. 26, 1968.
In a statement to mark its anniversary, the CPP accused Arroyo of escalating tensions through operations such as joint military exercises with the United States.
"The Filipino people and all revolutionary forces need to stand up and fight," against suppression, the party statement said. (Sunnex Luzon/JMR with AP)
(December 27, 2004 issue)
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