Brawner: Some soldiers back VP Sara’s stand vs peace negotiations with Reds

Vice President Sara Duterte’s stand against the peace agreement with the communist rebels, including the amnesty and possible release of political prisoners as a sign of goodwill for the negotiations, is shared even by some members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), military chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr. said on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

“I cannot blame the Vice President for saying this. In fact, this opinion is shared by so many in our country, even soldiers, that is also the sentiment,” said Brawner in an interview on CNN Philippines.

Citing discussions among some soldiers in messaging apps, Brawner said some soldiers are hesitant to support the move of President Marcos because of the past negotiations with the communist rebels that would always bog down.

He specifically mentioned the release of political prisoners which was cited by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) as one of the points of discussions in the next sessions with the government peace panel during a press conference last month wherein the resumption of peace talks was announced.

In the past, a number of captured members and ranking officials of the Communist Party of the

Philippines-new People’s Army (CPPNPA) was released as part of the goodwill that the government wanted to show amid the peace negotiations with the communist rebels.

Some of those released ranking CPP-NPA officials were classified as consultants for the peace negotiations. They were also given safe conduct passes in the past.

This is one of the reasons why some soldiers are not keen in supporting another peace negotiations, according to Brawner.

“What they did was that they would ask for the release of the political prisoners in the disguise of peace talks. But then they would just strengthen the New People’s Army,” said Brawner.

But Brawner said he is optimistic that this time, the peace negotiations between the CPP-NPA-NDF and the national government would push through.

He is banking on the Oslo Joint Communique wherein the NDFP mentioned that the communist rebels are willing to end the armed struggle.

“We believe that the statement is really moving towards lasting peace because there were no preconditions set. No ceasefire, no release of political prisoners. This is just exploratory talks,” said Brawner.

Brawner also disclosed that before the death of Jose Maria Sison, the latter was ready to announce an end to the armed struggle.