‘Peace process with Reds still at standstill’

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles has admitted that moving the peace process forward with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) remains uncertain.

In a speech during the panel discussion on Mindanao at the 2013 Philippines Development Forum held in Davao City last Monday, Deles said that for several years the government peace process with the CPP-NPA-NDF has remained at a “standstill.”

“While there was movement in the informal exchanges that happened late last year, leading to the joint declaration of the longest Christmas ceasefire from Dec. 20, 2012 to Jan. 15, 2013, the prospects of truly moving forward on this peace table remains uncertain,” she said.

Deles said the armed conflict with the CPP-NPA-NDF has seriously affected northeastern Mindanao.

“Not too many people realize that practically all of the areas affected by ‘Pablo’ are also areas affected by the conflict with the CPP-NPA-NDF,” she said.

“We are calling on the NPA operating in these areas to truly show they care for these communities by taking this historic opportunity in partnering with us in healing and reconstructing communities badly affected by Pablo,” she said.