Bello hits CPP’s order to step up NPA offensives

LABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III slammed Thursday the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) over its directive to its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), to beef up offensives amid the implementation of martial law in Mindanao.

Bello, the government's chief peace negotiator, said the Duterte administration is "deeply disturbed" by the CPP's "false reading" of President Rodrigo Duterte's intents in placing Mindanao under Martial law.

"The President, in no uncertain terms, categorically declared he was not after the New People's Army. He, in fact, reiterated his keenness on pursuing peace," Bello said in a statement.

"We therefore find the CPP directive to the NPA to intensify attack as totally misplaced borne out of a grossly appreciation of the President's intention," he added.

The CPP decried the Chief Executive's decision to impose an autocrat rule in Mindanao, saying it is part of his "declared plans to establish himself as a strongman."

It added that Duterte will "surely be emboldened" to expand the oneman rule all over the country, once he secures Congress' support.

"With Martial law in Mindanao, Duterte has imposed himself as a military ruler ready to ram through the bureaucracy and trample on civilian processes," the CPP said in a statement.

The communist party thus instructed the NPA to "plan and carry out more tactical offensives across Mindanao and the entire archipelago."

It also encouraged its armed wing to recruit new rebel fighters as Duterte's martial law "convinces more people to take up arms against the rotten system."

Bello said the CPP's order was an affront in the government's sincerity to pursue peace deal with the communist rebels.

"At the very least, it was an insult to the candor and genuineness displayed by the President and the government panel in talking peace. At worse, it betrays the absence of sincerity of the CPP in the negotiating table," he said.

Bello explained that Martial law in Mindanao was sought to restore law and order, protect the lives of the citizens and preserve private and state properties.

He then asked the CPP "to correct its error and recall its senseless order."

"Against this backdrop, we reaffirm our commitment and remain confident in winning our quest for lasting peace," Bello said.

The government peace panel and the communist leaders are scheduled to hold another round of talks in the Netherlands on May 27 to June 1.

Duterte, in an interview in Manila on Wednesday, assured that the government forces would not sow chaos with NPAs.

He also asked for their understanding on his resolve to end problems hounding Mindanao.

"I do not want to pick a fight with you guys, and I am referring to the NPAs. Allow me to focus on the problems in Mindanao and maybe the spillover in the Visayas and Luzon," the President said. SunStar Philippines