Pres. Duterte reiterates peace talks with Reds

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Aug. 9 (PNA) –- President Rodrigo Duterte would love to see the Armed Forces of the Philippines and New People’s Army (NPA) talking about peace instead of fighting for as long as insurgents will stop using landmines.

Talking to 500 soldiers at the covered court of the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division in Camp Lukban, this city late Monday afternoon, Pres. Duterte said he really wanted to end the four decades of fighting between government troops and NPAs.

“I want to show to them the good faith on the part of the government by going ahead with the ceasefire. I would insist to talk with the rebels with or without their leader (Jose Maria) Sison,” he said.

However, peace negotiations will only proceed if rebels will completely stop using landmines.

“If you will continue to use landmines, I will withdraw from the talks and there will be no ceasefire. I am prepared for another 45 years (of fighting). Do you want to fight for another 45 years?” he asked.

“I am just saying if you will use landmine again, I will forego peace talks and forget about it.”

“My job as a President is not to look for fight and to allow people die. My job is to seek peace with everybody so that we can move on to the next generation. The next generation after us has no more problems with insurgency. They can go anywhere through the country and develop the Republic for their children,” he said.

Pres. Duterte noted the communist insurgents were quick to invoke the Geneva Conventions when it is to their favor. “When it is not, then you invoke on it. If you are caught, you file cases against soldiers.”

The 1980 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons in Geneva specified the use of landmines, booby traps, incendiary weapons and blinding laser weapons, among others, as “excessively injurious” or “to have indiscriminate effects.” (PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO