Gov’t still open to hold talks with Reds: Lorenzana

The government is not closing the door for peace talks with the communist rebels, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — The government is not closing the door for peace talks with the communist rebels, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday.

“(PRRD’s statement means) that the government has not closed the door for peace talks. The President has enumerated some conditions for the resumption of peace talks like cessation of their extortion (their so-called revolutionary tax), no burning of equipment, no attack on military, police and civilians,” Lorenzana said in a message to reporters.

These are some of the atrocities being carried out by the CPP-NDF’s armed wing, the New People’s Army, which is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

Lorenzana was referring to a statement by President Rodrigo R. Duterte urging the military to allow National Democratic Front chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili to return home in order to resume negotiations.

He revealed that Agcaoili is already in the Philippines since last week.

“His whereabout is (still) unknown,” Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana said the ball is already in the hands of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NDF if they would like to resume peace negotiations.

Earlier, Lorenzana clarified he is not against the peace talks for as long as the CPP-NPA-NDF is sincere in the efforts to attain lasting peace.

But should the peace talks be used for the rebels’ armed revolution, Lorenzana said he is against it.