Lorenzana echoes Duterte stand on resuming peace talks with NDF

July 7, 2017

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Friday he will support resumption of peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front, the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, if the rebels stop attacking the government troops. “I still don't ( want to resume talks) if they continue to attack government forces. Another thing is only with a bilateral ceasefire can we have a mechanism to enforce ‘no extortion’. How can they enforce "no extortion" if their armed wing continue to harass and attack people?,” Lorenzana said. Lorenzana reiterated the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte during his visit at the headquarters of Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade in Malaybalay, Bukidnon last Thursday. “The president has already given his guidance in Malaybalay. He said ‘no resumption of talks unless the NPAs (New People’s Army) stop their extortion’. I fully support that,” Lorenzana said. “For my part I have been advocating a bilateral ceasefire which includes ‘no extortion’ as a sine qua non for a peace talk,” he added. Lorenzana said the defense department will support the talks “ 100 percent” if these conditions are met. (Robina Asido/DMS)