Duterte: No more talks with communist group

PRESIDENT Duterte yesterday said he no longer wants to talk peace with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).

He said the communist group may have to wait for another president for peace negotiations.

“At this stage, I am not ready to talk to them (CPP-NPA-NDFP) because it is not good for the country… the way that it is now, ayaw ko (I don’t like) and maybe it would take some time to, maybe another president, to do it,” Duterte said at the Army’s change of command ceremony in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Peace adviser Jesus Dureza, asked about Duterte’s latest statements on the peace talks, said: “The President is just expressing his great frustration that his initial bold and unprecedented efforts to finally end insurgency and rebellion in the country did not get a reciprocal gesture/action from those across the peace table. But knowing his deep passion to attain just and sustainable peace in the land, all these present problems and gaps may be breached when the so-called `enabling environment conducive to a peaceful settlement’ is present. So let’s just wait and see for the moment.”

Peace talks resumed last year under the Duterte administration. Negotiations reached a fourth round of talks. The fifth round that was scheduled for May 27 to June 1 was cancelled by government after the CPP ordered the NPA, its armed wing, to step up offensives against government forces that are implementing martial law in Mindanao.

Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23, the same day the Maute terrorist group attacked Marawi City. Fighting is ongoing in Marawi.

In July, Duterte told the government negotiating panel to drop the talks unless the NPA stops its attacks on government troops and its illegal activities like extortion, and a bilateral ceasefire agreement is signed.

Last month, he said he remains open to resuming talks with the communists but would have to consult his security advisers.