VICE President Sara Duterte yesterday openly criticized President Marcos Jr.’s proclamations granting amnesty to communist and other rebels who have committed crimes for their political beliefs.
Duterte also said the Marcos government’s recent decision to hold peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ (NDFP), the umbrella organization of communist groups in the country, is “an agreement with the devil.”
Past governments have held peace negotiations with the communist group, including that of Sara Duterte’s father, Rodrigo Duterte who later tagged the communists as terrorists.
The Vice President, whose political alliance with the administration is threatened because of her rift with the President’s cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, appealed to the Chief Executive to reconsider the move to resume peace talks with the communist group, citing atrocities committed by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, against both soldiers and civilians.
“Mr. President, the government’s statement with the NDFP in Oslo was an agreement with the devil. Napatunayan na natin sa kasaysayan na hindi sila seryoso at wala silang sinseridad sa usaping pangkapayapaan. Gagamitin nila itong peace negotiation sa pagtraydor sa pamahalaan at paglinlang sa taumbayan (History has proven that that they’re not serious and sincere in talking peace. They will use this peace negotiation to betray the government and fool the people). We appeal to your power to review these proclamations and agreements,” she said in a speech at the 5th founding anniversary of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
The task force has gained notoriety among activists and even militant lawmakers for its practice of red-tagging.
The Vice President said she supports steps to ensure lasting peace “because the fight against terrorists is deeply personal to me, as it is deeply personal to the families of countless Filipinos whose lives were forever upended because of the madness of terrorists.”
But instead of granting communist rebels amnesty, the government should just allow the NTF-ELCAC to continue its work and strengthen the multi-agency body, she said.
“Pero hindi ang pagbibigay ng amnestiya ang daan sa kapayapaan. Ang dapat nating gawin ay ipagpatuloy ang ating mga nasimulan sa NTF-ELCAC at mas palakasin pa ang mga ito.
Panalo na tayo, lumalaban na ang mga komunidad (But granting amnesty is not the way to peace. What needs to be done is continue what we’ve started in the NTF-ELCAC and strengthen it. We’ve already won, our communities are fighting back),” Duterte said.
The Vice President urged the President to consider communities “that were once strongholds of terrorists” and which now have found the courage to resist communists.
“Let us honor the memory of those who died in the senseless and bloody attacks of the NPA-CPP-NDFP. Mr. President, we can negotiate for peace and reconciliation and pursue meaningful development efforts in the Philippines without capitulating to the enemies. Hiling namin na kami ay mapakinggan (It’s our request that we be heard),” Duterte said.
The Vice President said the “evilness” of the CPP-NPA-NDFP, which she called “terrorists,” is incomparable, citing victims of the armed conflict and the alleged recruitment of students who are turned into fighters.
“Hindi na rin natin mabilang ang mga barangay captain, kagawad, security volunteers, pulis, at sundalo, na nagbuwis ng kanilang buhay para protektahan ang ating mga komunidad (We can no longer count the barangay captains, kagawads, security volunteers, policemen and soldiers who lost their lives to protect our community),” she said.
She said the families of the victims are calling for justice, and this will not be attained through the grant of amnesty.
ELCAC ABOLITION
In a privilege speech at the House, Rep. Arlene Brosas (PL, Gabriela), a member of the militant Makabayan bloc, said “the peace negotiations will not prosper if the government continues to see those who are fighting for socio-economic reforms and human rights as terrorists.”
She said fighting for the people’s rights is not terrorism.
She called for the of the Anti-Terrorism Law and the abolition of the NTF-ELCAC.
“With that, Mr. Speaker, this representation hopes that the possible resumption of the peace negotiations between the NDFP and the GRP will finally put the spotlight on the longstanding grievances and aspirations of the people especially the marginalized.”
Brosas said the struggle to address the “root causes of armed conflict, such as poverty, social backwardness, and lack of social justice, remains a formidable challenge to us Filipinos.” She hailed resumption of the peace talks, saying it has “sparked hope for a just and lasting peace in the country.”
“This is why it is of utmost importance to ensure that programs and policies, which seek to divide and pacify those who have been calling for genuine peace and justice, should be rejected. These include programs which conflate the armed struggle and the legal democratic movement,” she said.
“It is crucial to emphasize that such a track fails to recognize and address the social, political, and economic roots of the armed conflict in the Philippines. Instead of focusing on mass surrender, the government should prioritize addressing the reasons why individuals have resorted to taking up arms,” Brosas added.
She cited a latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing that nearly half or 48 percent of Filipino families rated themselves as poor during the third quarter of the year, up by about three points from the previous period.
“Mr. Speaker, it’s crucial to understand that genuine peace cannot be achieved through coerced admissions, or by criminalizing dissent. The path to just and lasting peace demands the recognition of grievances, the protection of human rights, and a sincere commitment to addressing systemic issues. Resolving these underlying causes demands a sincere and relentless pursuit of tangible solutions that address the needs and aspirations of the Filipino people,” she said.
RECONCILIATION
Romualdez, in a statement, reiterated his support for the President’s decision to reopen talks for peace negotiations.
“This courageous step towards reconciliation is a testament to our government’s commitment to enduring peace and unity, which are the cornerstones of our nation’s development and progress. The path to peace is often complex and challenging, but it is a journey worth undertaking for the future of the Philippines,” he said.
Romualdez said the President’s initiative “is a bold move towards healing and unity, reflecting our dedication to resolving longstanding conflicts through dialogue and understanding.”
“Why should we be afraid to talk when we know that our Armed Forces is strong and our Republic is stable? What should be afraid of if we know that the people’s trust is with the government?” he said in Filipino.
The Speaker said the peace negotiation “is more than just a political maneuver; it is a moral imperative, a chance to mend the fissures that have long divided our nation. We are not just negotiating terms; we are weaving the fabric of a peaceful future for every Filipino.”
