Bello: Peace talks with rebels still on hold

FILE: Saying that there is still no “enabling environment” that will convince President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider his decision, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) remains on hold. (PNA PHOTO)

Saying that there is still no “enabling environment” that will convince President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider his decision, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) remains on hold.

“Before we make our recommendation to the President, we have to be very sure that the so-called enabling conditions are there. We will only advise the President if there is already the enabling condition, but so far there is none,” Bello was quoted as saying in a Philstar report.

Bello was responding to the move of over 60 lawmakers who urged the President to resume peace talks between the Philippine government and the communist rebels.

The Labor Chief pointed out that Duterte needs a strong proof of the NDFP, as well as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)’s sincerity to the peace process.

“The President has made it clear that in the future, if there is the enabling environment when he can feel the sincerity of the other party to talk peace, then he might consider,” Bello said.

While the peace panel respects the call from the congressmen, Bello explained that it would still have to strictly follow the Chief Executive’s directive.

In House Resolution No. 1803, members of the lower house asked the President to continue the peace talks and complete the comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms to lay the basis for a just and lasting peace.

“Continuing the peace talks would benefit the Filipino people most of whom are poor peasants and workers, as the agreements on agrarian reform and national industrialization may address their issues and concerns and help provide relief for their economic hardships,” the resolution read.

Meanwhile, Malacañang thanked those who signed the resolution for their support to the peace agenda of the administration but reiterated that an enabling environment that shows “genuine sincerity on the part of the CPP-NPA [New People’s Army]-NDFP” must be present for the peace talks to resume.

“They must cease their hostilities against innocent civilians and government forces; end their extortion activities, violent streaks and wanton killings; lay down their arms and return to the fold of law and restart to live normal lives,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday, March 27.

Duterte on November 23 last year signed Proclamation No. 360, which terminates the negotiations with the CPP-NPA [New People’s Army]-NDFP, just two days before the fifth round of formal talks scheduled on November 25-27, 2017 in Oslo, Norway.