DND: PRRD tired of rebels’ ‘double-talk’ on peace

FILE: President Rodrigo Duterte (PCOO PHOTO)

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has had enough of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) double-talk and continued atrocities against the Filipino people, a defense official said Wednesday.

“The President has had enough of the Communist movement’s penchant for double-talk and continued acts of atrocities against the Filipino people. In keeping with the President’s guidance, the DND (Department of National Defense) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will continue to vigorously pursue operations against their armed components,” DND public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong said after Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza announced the cancellation of planned meetings to revive peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Dureza, in a statement, said that atrocities and other violent incidents committed by the rebels forced the Chief Executive to decide to cancel all planned meetings with the CPP-NPA-NDF.

“Recent tragic and violent incidents all over the country committed by the communist rebels left the President with no other choice but to arrive at this decision. We take guidance from the President’s recent announcements and declarations.

This is an unfortunate development in our work for peace. Never before have we all reached this far in our negotiations with them,” he added.

Peace talks between the Philippine government and the CPP-NPA-NDF were suspended last Feb. 4 following a series of atrocities conducted by rebel forces against unarmed security troops and civilians.

 (PNA)