Vice President Sara Duterte has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reconsider restarting peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

The call comes with a layer of irony, considering the longstanding reputation of Sara’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, as a communist sympathizer with deep ties to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Historically, Rodrigo Duterte has been labeled a “communist coddler” due to his affiliations with communist leaders and his engagement in CPP-NPA events, documented through various photos and videos.

His presidency, which commenced in 2016, witnessed attempts to forge connections with the rebels, offering them cabinet positions and initiating peace talks.

What adds a nuanced perspective to the current scenario is Sara Duterte’s previous silence on the crimes and terrorist activities attributed to the CPP-NPA.

It is noteworthy that she has chosen to vocalize her opposition to peace talks with the NDFP at a time when the political landscape emphasizes an anti-communist stance for strategic purposes.

In her recent video message posted on Facebook, Vice President Duterte emphasized the Oslo agreement with the NDFP as “an agreement with the devil” and called for a review of amnesty proclamations related to communist rebels.

Proclamations 403 and 404, issued by President Marcos Jr., grant amnesty to members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade and former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF, respectively.

“Apo BBM, sana po ay isaalang-alang natin ang ating mga komunidad na naging pugad ng mga terorista sa mahabang panahon na ngayon ay lumalaban na at tumutulong sa pamahalaan,” she stated.

While Duterte’s plea aligns with her emphasis on justice and the memory of victims affected by terrorist activities, it also marks a departure from her father’s earlier attempts at appeasement.

Rodrigo Duterte’s efforts to establish connections with communist groups during his presidency were met with mixed responses, and the recent move by his daughter indicates a shift towards a more robust anti-communist stance.

In May 2016, then-President Duterte extended a cabinet position to JoMa Sison, the founding chairman of the rebel party.

However, Sison declined the offer.

Duterte also proposed four Cabinet positions to the CPP: the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

According to Sison, the CPP and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), representing the former in peace talks with the government, expressed gratitude for the offer.

The timing of Sara Duterte’s vocal opposition raises questions about the political expedience of the shift, especially considering her past silence on the crimes attributed to the CPP-NPA.

As the political landscape evolves, the Duterte family’s stance on communism appears to be adapting to new considerations, positioning themselves as staunch anti-communists for current political purposes.

The intricacies of this political maneuvering underscore the dynamic nature of Philippine politics and the complex relationships with historical ideologies.

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE’S PEACE TALK TIMELINE (2016 – 2017)

1. July 18, 2016: President Duterte approves a six-point peace and development agenda, emphasizing an accelerated timeline for peace talks.
2. July 25, 2016: Duterte declares a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP-NPA-NDF during his first State of the Nation Address.
3. July 30, 2016: Duterte lifts the ceasefire due to the Reds’ failure to reciprocate and after a militia ambush in Davao del Norte.
4. August 13, 2016: CPP withdraws support for Duterte’s drug war, but peace talks remain optimistic.
5. August 21, 2016: Government re-imposes a unilateral ceasefire after CPP-NPA declares a seven-day ceasefire, and peace talks resume in Oslo.
6. August 22-26, 2016: First round of peace talks in Oslo sees an agreement on ceasefires, reaffirmation of agreements, and prisoner releases.
7. October 6-10, 2016: Second round in Oslo focuses on a framework for the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER).
8. December 8, 2016: Duterte links release of political prisoners to a bilateral ceasefire deal, creating tension.
9. December 20, 2016: Duterte and Sison agree on holiday ceasefires, and discussions on bilateral truce and prisoner release are expected.
10. January 19-25, 2017: Third round in Rome concludes with an agreement to continue unilateral ceasefires.
11. February 1, 2017: NPA ends ceasefire, citing unfulfilled releases; government reciprocates, ending its own ceasefire.
12. February 4, 2017: Duterte terminates peace talks, refuses political prisoner release, and considers NPA a terrorist group.
13. February 5, 2017: Arrest orders issued for NDF consultants; Duterte cancels JASIG; NPA declares “heightened” armed resistance.
14. March 12, 2017: Backchannel talks resume; peace talks to restart in April; Interim Joint Ceasefire forged in Amsterdam.
15. April 3-6, 2017: Fourth round in Amsterdam results in an Interim Joint Ceasefire and agreements on land distribution.
16. May 27, 2017: Fifth round suspended due to CPP’s call for intensified attacks amid martial law in Mindanao.
17. July 19, 2017: Backchannel talks canceled after an attack on a Presidential Security Group convoy.
18. July 21, 2017: Duterte ready for war, willing to engage for 50 years; tells communist leaders on bail to surrender.
19. July 24, 2017: Verbal sparring between Sison and Duterte during the State of the Nation Address.
20. October 5, 2017: Duterte contemplates leaving peace talks to the next president; later indicates they might resume.
21. November 22, 2017: Government cancels peace talks, citing recent violent incidents; NDFP adviser criticizes Duterte.
22. November 23, 2017: Duterte signs Proclamation No. 360, terminating peace talks; labels CPP-NPA a terrorist group.
23. December 5, 2017: Duterte formally designates CPP-NPA as a terrorist group through Proclamation.