Albay attack shows Reds' lack of sincerity - Palace

MANILA, Philippines - The communist rebels’ latest attack in Legazpi City where P70 million worth of construction equipment have been destroyed only negates further the chance to reach a peace settlement, a Palace official said yesterday.

“It certainly does not do well that while we speak with them, they do other actions which would indicate their lack of sincerity to pursue peace,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

Peace talks between the Communist Party of the Philippines and its umbrella organization, the National Democratic Front, have been stalled primarily because of the rebels’ refusal to provide the government with a list of its members who should enjoy immunity.

No less than President Aquino himself, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, had sensed that the CPP-NDF and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, does not seem to be sincere in dealing with the government in talking peace.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has ordered the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade and the police to secure the Southern Luzon International Airport (SLIA) in Daraga town after NPA rebels raided the construction site Friday night.

The incident left two Army enlisted personnel wounded when the NPA rebels torched 12 construction equipment.