Military says CPP using peace talks to regroup

MANILA, Philippines – A senior military intelligence official yesterday claimed the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) is using the peace talks to consolidate its remaining forces.

“That’s their real intention. They are just using the peace talks in their bid to rebuild their already weakened ranks,” according to the intelligence official who requested anonymity.

The official also described as “outrageous” the CPP’s demand, through the National Democratic Front (NDF), that 14 of its members be released before any formal peace talks with the government can begin.

Avelino Razon Jr., chief of the office of the presidential adviser on the peace process (OPAPP) said NDF chairman Luis Jalandoni is making unreasonable demands in asking for the release of 14 suspected communist leaders who are facing various criminal charges, since this would undermine the country’s judicial system.

The Netherlands-based CPP-NPA leaders have been demanding the release of their 14 captured senior members to enable them to join the talks in Oslo as consultants.

NDF spokesman Fidel Agcaoili declared the government’s refusal to release the 14 would leave them no option but to wait for the next administration to restart the peace talks.

Razon, on the other hand, said the NDF is merely using the peace process as a tool to advance its armed struggle agenda.

Razon took notice of the statements of NDF leaders accusing the government of insincerity and failing to comply with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG).

Razon released a statement saying it was unfortunate for the NDF to downplay efforts of the GRP panel to lift the suspension of JASIG and release two of its supposed consultants, Randall Echanis and Elizabeth Principe.

Razon said the refusal of Rafael Baylosis and Vicente Ladlad, the two other NDF consultants, to surface despite the effectivity of the JASIG is their personal decision.

The OPAPP said the GRP couldn’t compromise the country’s justice system to make space for peace.

“It cannot violate or short circuit the operative justice system to save the NDF’s consultants from being answerable for the crimes they are accused of. This is a blatant abuse of the peace table to get concessions they cannot get anywhere else,” the OPAPP said.

“Since it would seem that the NDF has been dictated upon by their CPP-NPA fronts, we ask the NDF to simply admit their inability to deliver on their commitment to return to the table. The GRP will take it from there,” the OPAPP said.

Even with the peace overtures from the CPP-NPA-NDF, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said they would continue their mission to hunt down the communist rebels by the 2010 deadline imposed by President Arroyo.

Military information chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said troops are still under orders from AFP chief Gen. Victor Ibrado to continue with combat and non-military efforts to weaken the NPA.

“And if you look at the recent developments, their numbers and strongholds are dwindling. We believe we would be able to comply with the deadline set by the President,” Brawner said.

Brawner said the order would stay until there is a ceasefire agreement between the government and the NDF.

“But as of the moment, the order is to run after them and defeat them,” he said.

Brawner cited the turning over of security operations in Marinduque from the AFP to the local police and a big number of NPA rebels that surrendered in Bukidnon as indications that the communist rebels are losing steam.

Brawner said the NPA’s remaining strongholds are in areas where they extort money from big industries in the countryside. –Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)