Localized peace talks, ‘a worn-out tactic,’ says communist rebels

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) maintained its stand to snub the government’s bid to pursue peace talks locally as this move is meant “to isolate the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Joma Sison from the revolutionaries.”

In a statement, the NDFP National Council slammed Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and the Duterte administration for thinking that they would give in to their proposal to localize peace talks. The NDFP said such move is “a worn-out tactic, which has been tried by past administrations but has always failed because it had no takers among the armed revolutionaries.”

It added that: “Localized peace talks are also a vain attempt to isolate NDFP chief political consultant Jose Ma. Sison from the mass of revolutionaries, because of the crucial role he plays in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations.”

He also stressed that the government pushing for a localized peace negotiation is a trick that is meant to lure the CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army to eventually surrender in the end.

“Localized talks are a classic divide and rule tactic. The idea is to hoodwink local CPP leaders and NPA commanders into agreeing to local ceasefire arrangements, and later on induce them to surrender,” the NDFP said.

(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 07/ 18 /18)