AFP: Rebels need to show sincerity to reopen peace negotiations

The New People’s Army (NPA) must first show sincerity and their political and armed factions are united in the quest for peace before any new peace negotiations can take place. (Photo: Southern Tagalog Exposure/Facebook)

MANILA—The New People’s Army (NPA) must first show sincerity and their political and armed factions are united in the quest for peace before any new peace negotiations can take place.

This was disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo when asked what conditions the military will be requesting in an event President Rodrigo Duterte decides to resume negotiations again with the insurgents.

“First they must be united in the goal of seeking peace and they must show sincerity by complying with all peace negotiation agreements especially on the part calling for the cessation of attacks against government troops,” he said in Filipino.

Arevalo was referring to the apparent disarray in the political and armed leadership of the NPAs whom earlier issued conflicting statements regarding its ceasefire pullout.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) negotiating panel headed by Fidel Agcaoili earlier said that the NPA unilateral ceasefire will continue while its spokesperson Jorge “Oris” Madlos stated that the truce will effectively end on 11:59 p.m. of Feb. 10.

“Before seeking any new peace negotiations with the government, the NPA must show that its leadership and units in the ground, are united in the goal of seeking a just and lasting peace,” Arevalo said.