THE National Democratic Front (NDF) in Negros slammed President Rodrigo Duterte after he cancelled the peace negotiations with the communist rebels.
In a statement Monday, Frank “Ka Frank” Fernandez, NDF-Negros spokesperson, said the President is basing his decision on “lies” and “superficial and deceiving” report.
Fernandez added that the arrest order for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) consultants, who have been temporarily released due to the peace negotiations, is an act of traitorship since their release is included in the 1995 Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.
He also said the President is not sincere in his intention to proceed with the peace talks, adding that Duterte is only interested in achieving a permanent bilateral ceasefire.
Fernandez denied the allegations of the national government that the NPA violated the unilateral ceasefire.
He also said that there are more than 400 political prisoners in the country as he appealed to the national government not to treat them as criminals.
Fernandez stressed that Duterte should fulfill his commitment to grant amnesty to the political prisoners.
He opined that if Duterte is afraid of releasing the political prisoners, it only means that he is a puppet of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which continues to launch offensive operations even if there is still a ceasefire.
Fernandez also blamed Duterte, the AFP, and the United States for the failed peace talks, adding that they will still push for the peace process.
Right now, the police and the army are in full alert status as offensive operations against the insurgents resumed following the order of Duterte to lift the ceasefire between the government and the communist rebels.