DAVAO CITY, July 21 — Peace negotiations between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) dimmed as President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday declared “No more talks with the communists”.
He also called on all communist leaders, who were released conditionally by the government to allow them to participate in the negotiations, to surrender
“You surrender and do not resist arrest,” Duterte urged. He said he will pursue their arrest after government deals with Marawi crisis if none of them will surrender.
“I will hunt you down,” Duterte warned in an interview at the sidelines of the 4th Davao Investment Conference.
The President gives another 50 years of fighting with the communists.
Speaking before the business sector during the 4th Davao Investment Conference at SMX Convention Center here on Friday, Duterte expressed his disappointment over latest pronouncements of the CPP over the declaration of martial law.
He said the communists had declared that the talks are not conducive under a situation of martial law.
I am only responding to what they are saying, he told reporters.
The President was also angered by the tag “bully” given to him by the CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison.
He also condemned continued fighting and killing of his soldiers.
On Wednesday, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) called off back channel talks after communist rebels attacked the security of Duterte in Arakan, North Cotabato.
“I am announcing the cancellation of backchannel talks with the CPP/NPA/NDF originally set within the next few days in Europe due to recent developments involving attacks done by the NPA,” Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said.
Dureza said the situation on the ground necessary to provide the desired enabling environment for the conduct of peace negotiations are still not present up to this time. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
