THE FUTURE of the stalled peace negotiations between the national government and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) lies in the hands of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., an official of the anti-insurgency task force said Friday.
"That is a decision that the President of the Republic will make," National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos, who also serves as the vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said in a press conference, when asked about the possible revival of talks with CPP's political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF).
For now, the NTF-ELCAC will continue the local engagement with the communist insurgents, pending Marcos' decision on the fate of peace talks between the national government and the NDF, Carlos said.
This developed after members of the NTF-ELCAC Executive Committee held its first meeting on Friday.
"The local peace councils are the ones working so we continue on that level. With regard to the resumption, that is the call of the President of the Republic," Carlos said.
The peace talks between the national government and the NDF have been intermittent since 1986.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte on Nov. 23, 2017 signed Proclamation 360, terminating the national government's peace negotiations with the CPP-NDF following a series of attacks waged by the CPP's armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), against state forces and civilians.
However, Duterte on Dec. 4, 2018 signed Executive Order (EO) 70, insitutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach that will be implemented by the NTF-ELCAC to achieve "inclusive and sustainable peace."
Under EO 70, local peace bodies are directed to negotiate with communist rebels in their respective areas.
In a joint statement, members of the NTF-ELCAC Executive Committee proposed the granting of amnesty to communist rebels, in an effort to address the insurgency problems and bring peace and development to the country.
"The task force strongly recommends the need for offering an amnesty to prevent the resurgence of the communist terrorist group, especially in geographically challenged, isolated and disadvantaged areas," the statement read.
Quizzed if the proposed amnesty covers the political prisoners, Carlos said: "We don't know yet the nitty-gritty of this recommendation so let's just leave it at that."
Apart from the recommended amnesty, the NTF-ELCAC Executive Committee also sought the implementation of the task force's programs aimed at empowering local governments, ensuring peace and law enforcement in the communities, providing assistance to former rebels and former violent extremists.
The NTF-ELCAC programs that will be implemented aim to attain "genuine healing and reconciliation." (Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)
