Picking up the peace

COMMONSENSE

- MARICHU A. VILLANUEVA

The capture and arrest of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) acting chairman Wigberto "Baylon" Villarico is a definite win for the government's peace and order campaign. But possibly it may also be a setback to the government's bid to restart the off-and-on formal peace talks with the insurgent groups.

It's a win obviously in terms of carrying out the criminal justice system in our country. On the other hand, however, it might stall anew the on-going informal peace talks with the CPP, along with its armed wing, the New People's Army, and its political arm, the National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Supposedly, there are ongoing back-door negotiations, quietly and discreetly taking place somewhere.

In an official statement issued on Dec. 26, 2023 marking its 55th founding anniversary, the CPP disclosed they had agreed to restart peace talks with the Marcos administration, reached during a secret meeting in Oslo brokered by Norway.

As it turned out, both sides signed an agreement the previous month to resume peace talks after a six-year hiatus. Then president Rodrigo Duterte cancelled peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF in 2017 after accusing the faction led by the self-exiled late CPP chairman Jose "Joma" Sison of attacking government forces while Supposedly, there negotiating for peace. : Villarico assumed lead- are Ongolng back door ership of the CPP following negotfatlons I qulfftly the death on Aug. 22, 2022 and dlscreetly takmg of Benito Tiamzon, CPP's place somewhere. erstwhile chairman, who was killed in a military encounter in Samar. Villarico is considered the last communist leader at-large capable of commanding the CPP-NPA-NDF, according to National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Ano.