MANILA — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana called the 45th founding anniversary of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) last April 24 as a constant reminder of the cycle of exploitation, abuse and deception committed by the communist movement and their supporters against the Filipino people.
“As the negotiating arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), the NDFP represents what is wrong with the Communist notion of peace. They talk peace with government far removed from the realities on the ground,” Lorenzana said Thursday.
He also scored the rebels for their lack of sincerity in pursuing peace talks with the government, as demonstrated by the fact that while NDFP representatives negotiate with the government peace panel, its armed components continue to commit atrocities against civilians and government troops.
“Sa mga miyembro ng NDFP, ano nga ba ang dapat ninyong ipagdiwang sa inyong ika-45 taong anibersaryo, gayong wala naman kayong naitulong sa ikapapayapa at ikauunlad ng ating bansa? Wala naman kayong kabutihang nagawa para sa inyong kapwa Pilipino (To the members of the NDFP, what is there to celebrate on your 45th anniversary when you have not contributed anything that would bring peace and development to the country? You have not done anything for the good of your fellow Filipinos),” the defense chief said.
Lorenzana further pointed out that with government efforts to achieve peace even without formal talks, the NDFP is fast becoming irrelevant.
“Through the government’s various programs for reintegration, thousands of former rebels have rejoined society. Under President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s guidance, we are more determined than ever to extend our call for peace and unity — a call for the remaining CPP-NPA to lay down their arms, rejoin their families, fulfill their dreams, and serve as active partners for peace, development and community empowerment,” he said. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
