NPA attacks undermine people’s confidence in the peace process- Deles

Manila, Oct. 5 - Following recent attacks on mining sites by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Claver, Surigao del Norte, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said that these atrocities by the communist left have been making the peace process difficult.

“Peace talks are more difficult when there is no accompanying ceasefire on the ground,” she said in a statement. “Hostile attacks such as the one conducted by the NPA yesterday in 3 mining areas in Surigao del Norte undermine people's confidence in the peace process, creating a 'disconnect' between agreements made on the peace table and what is happening on the ground.”

On Monday morning, the NPA staged coordinated raids in Taganito Mining Corp. (TMC), Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp. and Platinum Group Metals Corp. (PGMC) resulting to the burning of dump trucks, barges, backhoes, a guest house and other damages.

In the face of these attacks, Deles stated that the government is still committed to push through with the peace negotiations, “We continue to look for peaceful resolution to all armed conflict -- and hope the other party will listen more to our people's aspirations for peace and devote more energies on making the peace table work,” she said in a statement.

The NPA is the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda also released a statement on the NPA attacks in Surigao del Norte: “This was an isolated incident. However, the incident undermines the Peace Process and makes it difficult to pursue negotiations. However, we remain determined to fulfill our people’s aspirations for peace. We hope that the rebels will do likewise. The communities in Surigao were the greatest victims here: the attack has affected their employment and safety.”

In a separate statement released on October 3, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. said that the civilians – locals and foreigners alike - in the affected areas have been all accounted for and are now out of harm’s way.

“We take today’s attacks by armed rebels seriously and are continuously monitoring the situation in Claver. The situation in the area has been contained and we are now exerting efforts to ensure that those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice,” Ochoa stated.

Despite the on-going efforts of the government to pursue peace negotiations, the rebel group has been engaging in heightened acts of violence including the hostage taking of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) jail guards in Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental, Mayor Henry Dano of Lingig, Surigao del Sur and six mat vendors from Initao, Misamis Oriental. More recently, the group launched an attack against Victory Liner, supposedly for not paying revolutionary taxes, burning down a dozen of buses in Tarlac province.#