Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio said that she is open to the idea of localized peace talks with rebel groups, notably the communist New Peoples’ Army.
During the 5th round of the peace negotiations at Netherlands with the CPP/NPA/NDF (CNN), the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) panel raised the possibility of localizing peace talks. Mayor Sara said he has reservation on the matter although but is not closing the door to the idea.
She said she had her doubts the Red will ‘take the peace negotiations as a serious agenda but added one should be rational and open to the possibility.’
She said that as the Mayor of Davao City, “everything na sa tan-aw nako na makatabang [ang localized peace talk] buhaton nako na para sa siyudad nato, open ko pirmi.”
Her condition: the rebel groups should show sincerity in coming to the negotiating table to discuss peace.
“Lisod mag storya [about attaining peace] then after naay mamatay due to IED (Improvised Explosive Device)” said the Mayor.
It can be recalled that the Mayor has expressed her sentiments on the matter after a fish vendor named ‘Larry Buenafe’ died due to the attack of the New People’s Army against Lapanday Foods Corp last April 29.
Mayor Sara she was uncertain on localized peace talks if similar incidents continue to happen.
