Tuna's Arrest Exposes CPP's Pattern of Peace Talks Manipulation

October 13, 2024

The arrest of Porferio Tuna Jr., a high-ranking leader of the CPP-NPA-NDF, has exposed the group's long history of manipulating peace talks in the Philippines, prompting calls for a new approach to peacebuilding.

During an online press conference facilitated by the National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), key stakeholders, including former CPP leaders highlighted the government's commitment to establishing a framework for peace that moves away from previous agreements that have been exploited by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Noel Legaspi, a former leader and deputy secretary/spokesman of the CPP NPA NDF – FSMR, revealed that the CPP-NPA has historically manipulated peace talks to further its own agenda rather than achieve true reconciliation.

This manipulation, he added, was especially evident in their misuse of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), which was intended to protect peace negotiators.

"Based on the information we gathered, they (CPP) used a deposit box in the Netherlands to store code names for their consultants, allowing them to deny involvement when individuals were apprehended. However, the government has now mandated the use of real names, limiting the CPP's ability to manipulate this mechanism," said Legaspi.

He also disclosed that the CPP often employs peace negotiations to project a false image internationally, portraying themselves as peace-loving individuals sidelined by the government. "Kaya malakas ang international solidarity work nila," he said.

Arian Jane Ramos (ka MARIKIT), also a former CPP leader and former chairperson of Gabriela Youth - UP Mindanao, echoed this sentiment, adding that the so-called “consultants” the CPP-NPA-NDF is pushing into peace talks “are not there to negotiate sincerely”.

“They are top-level cadres on a mission to secure temporary freedom and regroup for the next phase of their insurgency. Nakita naman natin si Tuna how he manipulated the legal processes to his own advantage,” she explained.

She also recalled that Tuna told her he had traveled to Italy while he was a consultant, explaining that he was simply there to buy time.

Tuna, also known as "Ka Ampong" or "Ka Simon Santiago," is a prominent CPP regional cadre in Southern Mindanao. He was arrested recently in Tagum City, Davao del Norte by the 10th Infantry Division for a number of crimes including murder, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention.

He was previously detained in 2015 and granted bail in 2016 to participate in peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). However, after the negotiations concluded, he jumped bail and went back underground.

The CPP-NPA-NDF has a long history of using peace negotiations as a way to rescue their imprisoned leaders. This tactic, often referred to as a "ticket-to-freedom racket," involves securing temporary liberty for high-ranking members under the guise of being "consultants" for the peace talks. This was the case with Tuna in 2016, and it has been a recurring pattern throughout past negotiations. Several former CPP leaders have revealed that the CPP leadership often enjoys the perk of being declared consultants if arrested, regardless of whether they possess genuine Documents of Identification.

The former rebels emphasized that a new approach is desperately needed to prevent similar mistakes from happening again.

"Para maiwasan magkamali, tama na hindi resumption or reopening (of peace agreement). Back to square one tayo dapat. Gagawa tayo ng bagong mechanisms on peace negotiations at yung previous peace agreement hindi na batayan sa paglulunsad ng peace negotiation ngayon."

"Gagawa tayo ng bagong kasunduan na ang tunguhin ay hindi para maisahan ng CPP-NPA-NDF kundi para magkaroon ng political settlement," he stressed.

The CPP's current weakened position, with only five active guerilla fronts nationwide, diminishes their leverage in negotiations. "Yung pagpasok sa peace negotiation is based on strength. Yung kaibahan ngayon wala na sila lakas. Based on data, we have only 5 weakened guerilla fronts nationwide, ibig sabihin wala na silang leverage sa negotiations," stated Legaspi.

He cautioned that the CPP's entry into these talks, while they are in a weakened state, could signal a shift in their strategy. "Perhaps they want to change their past tactics. They're not using these talks to exert pressure in case of a deadlock, but rather to use the peace negotiations as a means of recovery."

Maj Ruben L. Gadut (Inf) PA - Chief, Public Affairs Office, 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army highlighted the significance of Tuna's arrest, pointing out how the CPP strategically utilizes capable leaders like Tuna for manipulation.

He emphasized the ongoing efforts by the 10th Infantry Division to neutralize key leaders of the CPP as part of their mission to dismantle the remnants of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).

He also detailed the successful operation leading to Tuna's arrest, noting his alleged orchestration of attacks against the 60th Infantry Battalion in 2015 that led to the death of Lt. Richard Bautista, who was part of a team conducting the "Whole-of-Government" "Whole-of-Nation" approach during that time.

Earlier NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Ernesto Torres Jr emphasized that the peace talks should center on genuine peace-building and accountability, not serve as a vehicle for furthering insurgency goals.

He also reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring that any forthcoming peace negotiations do not become another opportunity for the CPP-NPA-NDF to secure the release of their incarcerated leaders.

NTF-ELCAC MEDIA BUREAU

Ref: Joel M. Sy Egco

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