MANILA — Communist rebels are using the lull in the peace negotiations or talks to regroup, recruit new members and acquire new weapons for their offensive against the government, the military said.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said the information was culled from documents recovered captured during past encounters with the New People’s Army.
“Sa (Based on) records na nakuha namin (sa) terrorist na (that we have obtained from the terrorist group) CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army), sinasabi ng mga dokumentong ito (these documents indicate) that they are taking advantage of the peace negotiations to recruit new members, to regroup and to refurbish themselves,” he added.
Arevalo stressed that these findings only confirm what the CPP-NPAs’ true motive in demanding for peace negotiations is.
“And I quote, they resort to peace negotiations as another form of legal struggle, which is possible to be used to advanced their revolutionary mass movement,” he added.
In short, while the rebels are negotiating for peace they are using this as an opportunity to strengthen their combat forces, the AFP spokesperson said.
Arevalo said the strong desire of the CPP-NPA to talk peace could be the offshoot of the mass surrenders of their guerrilla fighters and supporters, along with their weapons and equipment, in the past months. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
