Central Panay Reds want peace talks, nix cease fire








NPA guerillas doing the "koreo" (choreography of a red song)

Guerillas in attention as the sound system
plays the "Internationale"

SOMEWHERE IN CAPIZ PROVINCE -- Yes to peace talks, no to continued ceasefire.

That’s the message Ka Mara, secretary of the political department of the Igabon Platon of the New People’s Army (NPA) declared at the “peace assembly”, a gathering that the Central Front - Panay of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) convened to celebrate its 48th anniversary December 26.
Musical skit: guerillas depict an event during
the early '70s when they puinished an abusive
soldier of the now defunct Philippine
Constabulary

Some 500 people registered at the peace assembly, minus the children who were not listed, which was marked by speeches and cultural presentations by a platoon of NPA guerillas.

Ka Mara: yes to peace talks, no to
continued ceasefire, unless Duterte
makes good his campaign promise
of  releasing political prisoners and
stopping AFP operations
 in NPA territories.
“You want peace talks?” asked Ka Mara on loud speaker. “You want continued ceasefire?”

The crowd sounded back “yes” to first query and “no” to the second.

Supporters flocking to the venue to see the
"hukbo",  the local name of the NPA
Capiz is one of the four provinces on Panay, one of the major islands in the Visayas in Central Philippines.

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) are preparing for the third phase of their talks to be held in Italy this month. The process is hosted by the Royal Norwegian Government which bankrolls the travel and lodging of both GRP and NDFP panels.
 
Tarp mural hailing the 48th anniversary
of the CPP
Ka Mara discussed “updates on the GRP-NDFP peace talks” with the crowd on power-point presentation.

Both sides likewise declared unilateral truces. The GRP proposes bilateral ceasefire, signed by both parties but the NDFP is hedging as it chides the former for its failed promise to release over 500 political prisoners and stop the Armed Forces and Police from offensive operations in its territories.
 
The NDFP is basing its decision on the ground. “We are restless,” notes Ka Mara. “Our patience is running short because GRP troops are the ones violating the unilateral ceasefire declared by their own commander-in-chief.”

The NPA-Central Panay Front had to change venue twice to avoid Army soldiers who were patrolling in two neighboring barangays.

Their guests had to walk longer hours and on more rugged terrain to avoid the government soldiers. #

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