How sincere are the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army in their ongoing peace negotiations with the government? Are they really ready to lay down their firearms once the talks succeed?
Despite the ongoing peace talks, NPA guerillas raided the Lapanday Foods Corp., a plastic plant and ranch in Davao City early Saturday. During the attack, they torched Lapanday's manufacturing plant, injuring a security guard.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said the attack was an insult to the city considering the fact that they have been supporting the peace talks. She said the rebels are a terrorist organization not worthy of "trust and respect."
The brazen attack was also carried out on the day President Rodrigo Duterte was busy entertaining other regional heads of state as the country hosted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.
Well, the raid was not only an insult to the residents of Davao City, which happens to be the hometown of the president. It was as well an insult to all Filipinos in this time when the government is seriously negotiating for peace with the rebels.
It also raises a serious question as to whether the rebels are really serious in the quest for eventual peace. But the fact that they are still attacking military outposts, government installations, and private establishments only shows their seeming insincerity in the pursuit of peace.
Saturday's attack was not the first the rebels committed while they are negotiating for peace with the government. Months ago, they also staged ambushes as a ceasefire was being observed and while their leaders and the government panel were busy preparing for a return to the negotiating table.
The government should demand an explanation from the rebels for the attacks they perpetrated recently on business establishments and government troops. These atrocities should not go unpunished in order to teach them a lesson.