MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed support for localized peace talks where local government units’ (LGUs) leaders or officials would be the ones negotiating with rebel bands or groupings in their area.
This was emphasized by Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, in Tuesday’s briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
In the localized peace talk setup, the LGUs are given leeway to conduct the negotiations while the military would be just tasked to provide security to the participants and rebels interested in surrendering.
“Unang-una ang mekanismo tungkol sa localized peace talks, hindi AFP ang magsasalita. Ito po ay (First, the mechanism of localized peace talks is that the AFP won’t speak. It would be the role of the) LGUs and we, in the AFP, (are) supportive of this, in the sense na if we are to provide security if we are to allow talks and negotiations to push through by way of arranging it and ensuring the safety of those who would like to surrender sa mga LGUs(na) tinutulungan natin (to the LGUs we are helping),” Arevalo added.
In this scenario, other government agencies will be assisting the LGUs, he stressed.
Earlier, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the government will vigorously pursue localized peace talks after Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison said they are now withdrawing from the negotiations following the cancellation of the peace talks originally scheduled from June 28 to 30.
“Mr. Sison, in response to your childish tantrums we will vigorously pursue the ongoing localized peace talks. I am sure that once you are out of the picture, true peace will have a chance to become a reality and you will be consigned to the dustbin of history,” he added.
Lorenzana also chided the CPP founder for using the peace talks to be in the limelight, adding that without it, Sison is deemed irrelevant.
“Without it (peace talks) you are irrelevant. You also know that the President can terminate the talks, and this is why you are desperately using reverse psychology and intimidation to save it,” the defense chief emphasized. (PNA)
