Palace: Ka Roger's death will not affect peace talks

Malacañang on Monday said the death of communist spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger" Rosal will not affect the peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the political front of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). “As far as the peace process is concerned, wala naman siyang masyadong epekto. Si (NDFP chief negotiator) Luis Jalandoni ang nakaupo doon sa peace process," said presidential political adviser Ronald Llamas at a press briefing. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, for his part, said the government expects the CPP to appoint Rosal’s successor. “I think there will be successors to Ka Roger Rosal," Lacierda said. “I cannot speak for them, but that would be the natural recourse for an organization like the CPP… to have an alternative successor." Asked for Malacanang’s statement on Rosal’s death, Lacierda said: “We console with the family of Ka Roger Rosal." The CPP on Sunday announced that Rosal, 64, succumbed to heart attack last June 22. It said the announcement was delayed “to allow the concerned organs of the CPP to inform Ka Roger's daughters of their father's demise." Lacierda said there is no cessation of hostilities against the CPP and its armed wing, the New Peoples’ Army, despite Rosal’s death. — Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News