Palace: Rosal statement casts shadow on NDF's sincerity on talks

The statement of communist leader Gregorio “Ka Roger" Rosal doubting reforms under the Aquino administration is creating an impression that the insurgents are not serious with the upcoming peace talks with the government, a Palace official said on Sunday. “Nakakadismaya lang na we’re trying to start up the peace talks with [National Democratic Front] at hindi nakakatulong ang salitang ganyan. Parang mahirap maniwala ang iba na pinapasukan nila ang peace talks in good faith," said Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office head Ricky Carandang. (We’re dismayed at that kind of statement because it’s not helping the peace talks. Others will have a hard time believing that the NDF is joining the negotiations in good faith.) Government and NDF negotiators are set to engage in informal talks in Norway on Jan. 14 to 18 prior to the resumption of formal negotiations next month. The NDF is the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). Rosal, in a supposed New Year’s Day message, said they expect 2011 to be another year of “intensifying crisis, poverty and suffering." He said reforms under the Aquino government could not be depended on. Carandang, in an interview by Radyo ng Bayan, belied this and assured the public that the Aquino administration would deliver on its promised reforms, including ridding the government of corruption and addressing the poverty problem in the country. “Whether Ka Roger believes it or not, ito ay ipapatupad namin (we will implement these reforms)," he said. Carandang said the people will start seeing the results of the Aquino administration’s efforts to fight corruption and poverty by the end of January. “We will do our best to fulfill our promise to fight corruption and poverty. By the end January, we will see this. The people should remain optimistic," he said. Government chief negotiator Alexander Padilla said despite the statement of Rosal, the informal peace negotiations in Oslo would proceed as scheduled. Padilla also reiterated that the Aquino government is committed to pursuing peace with the communist rebels. “Yes, the talks will proceed as planned this month. The statements of Ka Roger, while unfortunate, are mere posturing statements and will not affect the talks," he said. - KBK, GMANews.TV