MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has firmly rejected renewed calls to restart peace negotiations with the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. In a statement issued Tuesday, Lorenzana emphasized that the government will not resume talks unless the NPA ceases its attacks on civilians and government forces.
"The doors for peace are open, but only if the other side shows genuine commitment to ending violence," Lorenzana said. He underscored that the previous peace process failed because the NPA continued to recruit fighters and extort communities.
The defense chief's remarks come amid fresh appeals from some lawmakers and civil society groups urging the administration to revive the stalled negotiations, which were terminated by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019. The NPA, which has been waging a decades-long insurgency, recently called for a return to the bargaining table.
Lorenzana, however, maintained that the government's current strategy—combining military operations with localized peace engagements and development programs—remains effective. He pointed to the declining number of NPA-influenced barangays and the surrender of hundreds of rebels as signs of progress.
"We are open to talking, but not under the shadow of violence," he added. "The NPA must lay down their arms and stop their criminal activities before any formal talks can be considered."
The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.