“Hindi po nawawalan ng pag-asa o ng determinasyon ang ating pamahalaan na malampasan kung ano man ‘yung mga hamon na nagsisilbing balakid [sa peace agreement] dahil isa pa rin po ‘yan sa mga peace table ng ating pamahalaan,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. at a press conference.
Last week, the Communist Part of the Philippines (CPP) said it will no longer engage in peace talks with the Aquino administration due to the government’s “unwillingness” to negotiate.
But Coloma, citing a statement by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, said the government will continue to find a peaceful solution to the conflict despite disagreements between the two parties.
“Sinisikap po nating maisulong ang kapayapaan hindi lamang doon sa Mindanao kundi sa iba’t iba pang mga larangan at kasama na po diyan yung pakikipag-ugnayan o pakikipag-negosasyon sa CPP-NPA-NDF para po maresolba ang matagal nang usapin hinggil diyan,” he said.
As for the CPP’s reported threat that it will intensify acts against government troops in 2014, the Palace official said the government’s security and law enforcement authorities are ready.
“Tungkulin po ng Sandatahang Lakas na ipagtanggol ang ating mga mamamayan at panatilihin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga komunidad,” he said.
Truce
Both the military and the CPP, through its armed wing the New People’s Army, are currently observing a suspension of operations in connection with the recently concluded holiday season.
In a separate interview, Armed Forces spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the military will “maintain our active defense” to protect soldiers and camps from NPA attacks, especially when the rebels’ ceasefire ends on Jan. 3.
Zagala also said they are unfazed by the CPP’s threat of more intensified attacks against soldiers.
“Thats the same thing they say every anniversary of the CPP,” he noted. “It’s the same rhetorics they make, as far as we are concerned.” — Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News
