DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President Duterte may still pursue peace with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) even if peace negotiations with the group have folded.
“In due time this will be resolved because this is no longer about ideo-logy but about the Filipino people,” the President said, referring to conflicts in Mindanao, including the one with the communist rebels.
The interest of the people, he added, should be above anything else even when ideologies remain respected.
In his visit to Surigao City yesterday, Duterte said he remained hopeful that things would look up for the earthquake victims and for all in Mindanao “once peace will prevail in the island.”
“I tried everything, I walked the extra mile, released prisoners, released their leaders so they can go to Oslo (Norway) to talk, and now they want 400 prisoners who fought the government under a rebellion released. This will (be) only given after a successful talk. What is there to talk about if I would release them?” the President added.
Yesterday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) condemned the New People’s Army (NPA), the communists’ armed unit, for recruiting children to cope with its dwindling number of combatants.
The Army 28th Infantry Battalion reported that Rhea Liza Davis, a 13-year-old Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) athlete, was recruited by the rebel group and eventually separating the girl from her family.
Leonila Davis, the girl’s mother, sought military help after efforts to recover her child failed.
Read the full story at The Philippine Star