MANILA — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday expressed his support for the resumption of peace talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples’ Army- National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), saying that while negotiations had taken a vicious cycle, it “is the most logical route” to achieving peace.
“It is a vicious cycle, nakita natin even in the past administration, nagging contentious and urong-sulong ng urong-sulong ang peace process. But para sa akin, ang usapang pang-kapayapaan is the most logical route considering na buhay ang pinag-uusapan natin (It is a vicious cycle. We witness even in the past administrations, nagging, contentious, and minded retreat of the peace process. But for me, peace talks is the most logical route considering we are talking about lives here),” Gatchalian said in an interview at the Senate.
“Kung kaya natin na walang madisgrasya, walang magdanak ng dugo, walang mamatay – this is the best route for the country (If we can prevent any loss of lives, no blood shed, no deaths),” the lawmaker added.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte earlier said he is not discounting the possibility of resuming the stalled peace talks with the Left, provided that the latter stop violent as well as extortion activities.
Meanwhile, communists have also expressed willingness to go back to the negotiating table.
Gatchalian echoed the President’s sentiments saying that the “Left“ should also demonstrate sincerity during negotiations.
He said while there is now a meeting of the minds in terms of moving forward with the peace talks, “it also takes two to tango.”
“Hindi lang dapat government ang sincere na tapusin itong pag-uusap. Pati side ng CPP-NPA-NDF, dapat maging bukas ang loob nila at maging malawak pa ang kanilang pag-iisip (It’s not only the government that should be sincere to end the talks successfully. On the side of the CPP-NPA-NDF, they should have open minds),” he said adding that there is no easy way to peace.
Every option, he said, should be exhausted to end the decades-long insurgency that have claimed thousands of lives and affected thousands of families on both sides of the combatants. (Jose Cielito Reganit/PNA)
