MANILA – Government of the Philippines chief negotiator Alexander Padilla questioned the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front’s sincerity when they detailed their proposed terms for the resumption of talks through the media and not through the proper channel.
“Nabasa lang rin namin yung mga [details ng proposal] sa dyaryo. Kung gusto talagang makipag-usap, you don’t do it through the media (We have also read the details of the proposal through the newspaper. If they seriously want to talk, you don’t do it through the media),” said Padilla during a forum organized by the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform held at the Remedios Jubilee Mission Center in Manila.
According to the GPH chief negotiator, “there has been no formal notification” to the government up until today. The proper approach would have been for the NDF to inform the Royal Norwegian Government, the third party facilitator of the peace negotiations since 2004.
“It (statement) was given to the media. There is a difference. So, to us, it is mere propaganda,” Padilla added.
Rey Casambre, who was representing the NDF during the forum, also noted that he is not sure if the proposal has been formalized.
“Sana pinag-usapan namin. Kasi ako mismo may mga tanong din sa mga agenda na yan—sa tingin ko parang hindi seryoso (We should have talked about [their proposal]. I too have questions on their agenda—I don’t think they’re serious),” added Padilla.
Padilla also pointed out that part of the new terms presented by the CPP/NPA/NDF is a discussion on typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which is not even “part of the regular track [of the negotiations].”
But, at the same time, Padilla highlighted that the government “would welcome any informal [initiatives], from church and other sectors, that can bridge the gap between [the two negotiating panels].”
“We have never left the negotiating table. We are just waiting for them to go back and sincerely talk peace,” Padilla stressed.
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