Statement of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza on the NPA’s recent activities

We are distressed and extremely disturbed by the recent series of attacks and harassments by alleged New People’s Army (NPA) elements in various areas nationwide.

The unilateral ceasefire was precisely set in place to provide an enabling environment for the ongoing peace talks and also to secure the support of the stakeholders and the bigger public in understanding and supporting these unprecedented, although small but significant steps, for sustainable peace in the land.

We do not wish to unnecessarily squander those gains that even saw President Duterte exercising strong political will to move the peace process forward.

Either some in National Democratic Front (NDF) leadership talking to the government are not in full control of their own forces on the ground or they are themselves undermining these efforts for sustainable peace, or pressuring government for certain concessions.

The president will definitely walk the extra mile for peace. But our counterparts on the other side of the peace table must also reciprocate accordingly and do the same.

The road to peace is not smooth and easy. Let us all help to successfully traverse it.

By |2017-04-03T08:37:57+08:00January 31st, 2017|CPP-NPA-NDF|0 Comments

About the Author:

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process or OPAPP is the office mandated to oversee, coordinate, and integrate the implementation of the comprehensive peace process. The agency was created through executive order no. 125, s. 1993 which was later amended in 2001 with the signing of executive order no. 3, s. 2001 as a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to achieving just and lasting peace through a comprehensive peace process.