National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Oban Jr. has firmly backed Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.’s rejection of renewed peace negotiations with communist rebels, warning that entering into dialogue would only throw a lifeline to a crumbling movement.
In an official statement released Tuesday, Oban—who also serves as the Director-General of the National Security Council and Vice-Chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC)—asserted that the public has no desire to return to a framework that has historically been weaponized by the insurgents.
“The Filipino people are not asking for the return of peace negotiations that the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front) has historically abused,” Oban stated.
The security chief emphasized that resuming formal talks would undermine the stability achieved by local government units and rural communities that have actively rejected the armed struggle.
“Peace talks should not be allowed to become a lifeline for a dying insurgency,” Oban said, adding that communities previously affected by conflict are now demanding developmental government services rather than empty political discourse.
“These demands need our utmost and urgent attention, and not a return to the negotiation table with a group that has lost any semblance of integrity, let alone belligerency,” he added.
NEGATIVES IN NEGROS OCCIDENTAL SHAPE DEBATE
The firm stance from Malacañan’s security cluster comes in response to calls from former government peace negotiators to revive discussions following a deadly military operation on April 19 in Toboso, Negros Occidental.
The clash between the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion and the New People’s Army (NPA) resulted in 19 fatalities. While the military identified all casualties as armed combatants, human rights groups and student coalitions reported that the casualties included a community journalist and several student leaders.
When questioned about the incident and the renewed calls for diplomacy over the weekend, Defense Secretary Teodoro remained unyielding.
“No, I object to any peace talks with the NPA,” Teodoro told reporters during an ambush interview. “The Filipinos are at peace. They are the ones disturbing the peace.”
State security officials maintain that since formal talks first commenced under the administration of President Corazon Aquino, the rebel leadership has repeatedly used ceasefires as tactical windows to regroup, rebuild underground networks, and recruit new members while continuing operations on the ground.