|
The stalled talks between the government and the
Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army (CPP-NPA) could
resume only if the rebel group agrees to a ceasefire, Executive
Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.
“We have taken up this issue at
National Security Council Cabinet level meeting and it was agreed
that a cessation of hostilities must be agreed first before the
talks could resume, “Ermita said.
He said the government believes
that having a ceasefire first will hasten the negotiation. The
government could also push its planned amnesty program for rebels
willing to surrender, he added.
He added that it is the time for
the communist rebels to seek a peace agreement with the government
because the movement is experiencing a decline in its numbers.
Ermita cited the case of the Moro
National Liberation Front which was on the brink of walking out from
the peace talks, but was later persuaded by facilitators to
negotiate and accept the Philippine government’s preconditions.
The Muslim secessionist group signed a peace agreement with the
government in 1996.
--Angelo S. Samonte
|
