THE peace negotiations scheduled from May 27 to June 1 will proceed despite a recent attacked launched by communist rebels on the Davao-based Lapanday Foods Corporation, a government peace adviser said Wednesday.
In a statement, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jesus Dureza said the government was "dismayed" by the attack launched by New People's Army (NPA) rebels while the Philippines was hosting the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Manila last Saturday.
"We are dismayed that although peace negotiations with the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines), NPA, NDF (National Democratic Front) 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.
"There is no doubt that all our security forces – the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) – with the support of the civilian communities, must and can deal with these contingencies," he added.
NPA rebels reportedly torched several equipment and seized high-powered firearms from the company's security guards last Saturday.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio had condemned the attacks, which she deemed as "acts of terrorism."
Rigoberto Sanchez, NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command spokesperson, defended their act on Sunday as a "revolutionary justice" over alleged exploitation perpetrated by the company.
Sanchez added that it was mere "retribution and an act of social justice against a feudal lord and capitalist that continue to be protected by states instrumentalities" like the police and the military.
Dureza said he understands the public's concerns over the rebels' attack, even though the government peace panel and the communist group are yet to ink the bilateral ceasefire agreement.
"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," Dureza said.
"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."
The two parties conducted peace talks in the Netherlands in April and had agreed to come up with a bilateral ceasefire agreement. They, however, are yet to sign the bilateral truce deal.
Despite the recent development, Dureza said the attack would not hinder the government to resume the peace dialogue with the communist party.
He said both parties are now preparing for the forthcoming fifth round of talks in the Netherlands.
"No doubt, the task is not easy, taking every necessary step, but we will continue. We will not yield in our resolve. We will not be deterred," Dureza said.
Dureza also echoed the resolve of President Rodrigo Duterte to "end this tragedy of Filipinos fighting Filipinos."
"While he (Duterte) boldly deals with those who bring harm to the people, his dream is to bring peace through a just and principled settlement with all rebel groups in the land. Let us all close ranks and stay the course with him," he said.
The peace talks were earlier scrapped by President Rodrigo Duterte after the CPP-NPA-NDF lifted its unilateral ceasefire with the government.
It was then revived following the successful backchannel talks between government's peace negotiators and NDF consultants. (SunStar Philippines)