Reject the US-Duterte’s localized peace talks scheme
The New People’s Army-North Eastern Mindanao Region (NPA-NEMR), under the absolute leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), along with all revolutionary forces in the region, firmly reject the duplicitous and bogus localized peace talks peddled by the US-Duterte regime. On the other hand, the NPA-NEMR and all units under its command, absolutely and sincerely abide by the signed agreements of the peace negotiations that the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) entered into and recognize, such as the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), The Hague Joint Declaration, among others.
The localized peace talks proposed by the US-Duterte regime through its militarist puppets, is meant to deceive and force the NPA into surrendering. It intends to obscure and reduce the issues on social and economic reforms such as national sovereignty, national industrialization, land reform and social justice which are the most significant aspects from which the achievement of lasting and just peace is founded.
The localized peace talks is but a scheme to show that the US-Duterte regime is advocating “peace”, but in reality, it seeks to hide its lack of interest to delve into the root causes of armed struggle in the Philippines. It intends to end armed struggle by forcing the NPA to lay down its arms and turn its back from armed struggle while the ruling system continue to oppress and exploit the people.
The US-Duterte regime’s localized peace talks is part of the comprehensive psychological operation campaign along the design of Oplan Kapayapaan, together with state fascism and terrorism through total war, martial law and war against drugs. It is but part of the regime’s counter-insurgency strategy to destroy the revolutionary movement and realize its ambition of establishing a fascist dictatorial rule.
Only the officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippine National Police (AFP/PNP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and other related agencies, will benefit because of the sizable funds they can pocket while no significant change will happen to the people especially the workers, farmers and the poor. The only prospect for Duterte’s localized peace talks scheme is a cruel peace, more brutal than war.
With this, the Regional Operational Command of the NPA-NEMR commands all units of the NPA in the region to reject all deceitful attempts from agencies of the reactionary government for the deceitful localized peace talks in their areas.
As the true soldiers of the people, the NPA, will never surrender and abandon armed revolution especially under conditions of brutal attacks by the fascist armed forces of the US-Duterte regime. The NPA must launch more effective tactical offensives to defend itself and the people. Tirelessly help the people to achieve solid strength to advance, struggle and achieve their just demands against the exploitative class.