By Jose Maria Sison, NDFP Chief Political Consultant
May 24, 2018

Within the so-called Constitutional Commission, there is the drive of certain pro-Duterte elements headed by a retired general to draw up a a draft federal charter that makes easier the declaration of martial law by citing ¨lawless violence¨ or ¨a series of offensives by the New People´s Army¨ as the basis for the declaration of martial law.

Said drive of the pro-Duterte elements is an indication that the threat of martial rule, being declared before or after the charter change, continues to exist and does not augur well for the resumption and success of GRP-NDFP peace negotiations while Duterte is the president.

Instead of trying to scapegoat the NPA and make it the pretext for martial law declaration, state terrorism and fascist dictatorship, the Duterte regime should let the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations to succeed in addressing the roots of the armed conflict and laying the ground for a just and lasting peace through comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms.

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