Duterte warned he would rearrest NDFP consultants who are released on bail if the New People’s Army joins the Maute Group.
But Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Maria Sison told reporters covering the 5th rounds in The Netherlands, “Kalookohan yan (That’s nonsense).”
He said the communists will never join the Maute Group.
The fifth round of talks did not push through after the GRP peace panel withdrew its participation, with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza citing, among others, an increase in attacks by the NPA throughout the country.
NDFP peace panel chair Fidel Agcaoili reiterated the their willingness to cooperate with the government in fighting terrorism in the country perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf and the Maute Group, which “intimidate, terrorize and harm civilians solely or mainly in violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.”
Clashes between government forces and the Maute group erupted in Marawi City on May 23.
Duterte responded by placing Mindanao under martial law.
Agcaoili said the NDFP and GRP must be determined to counteract these terrorist groups which he linked to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and are allegedly supported by the US Central Intelligence Agency and other foreign entities.
“The level of counteraction against terrorism, as well as the nature, scope and duration must be appropriate and proportional to the degree of danger and threat and/or harm by the terrorist group concerned in Marawi City,” he said.
He said terrorism must be stopped to restore normalcy and ensure respect for human rights as soon as possible.[]
“In specific areas of cooperation and coordination, the armed forces of the GRP and NDFP shall be bound by a ceasefire agreement between them, pending the issuance of ceasefire declarations that are unilateral but simultaneous and reciprocal,” he said.[]
