MANILA – The Aquino administration said it is not closing its door to restarting peace talks with communist rebels and would continue to seek ways to reach a pact with insurgents.
Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government and Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing the New People’s Army and the National Democratic Front have not agreed on many issues to move the peace process forward.
He said one of the issues is the release of communist advisers from jail as a precondition for the start of the peace discussions.
“Hindi po nawawalan ng pag-asa o ng determinasyon ang ating pamahalaan na malampasan kung ano man ‘yung mga hamon na nagsisilbing balakid dahil isa pa rin po ‘yan sa mga timetable ng ating pamahalaan,” Coloma told reporters.
“Sinisikap po nating maisulong ang kapayapaan hindi lamang doon sa Mindanao kundi sa iba’t iba pang mga larangan at kasama na diyan ‘yung pakikipag-ugnayan o pakikipag-negosasyon sa CPP-NPA-NDF para po maresolba ang matagal nang usapin hinggil diyan.”
The NPA said it will intensify its offensive operations since there is no peace talks.
Coloma said the military and the police are ready to defend the people and maintain peace. “Siyempre po tutugunan ‘yan ng ating mga security forces and law enforcement authorities sapagkat tungkulin po ng Sandatahang Lakas na ipagtanggol ang ating mga mamamayan at panatilihin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga komunidad,” he said.
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