Frank Fernandez, priest-turned-head of the Communist Party of the Philippine-Negros, for the first time officially announced willingness to dialog with Gov. Joseph Marañon to explore avenues of "cooperation in the interest of the masses."

Fernandez, in a recorded message received by the DAILY STAR yesterday, said the dialog would not constitute localized peace talks as sought by the national government.

"It will just be a simple exchange of ideas that should not compromise the principles of the revolutionary forces," he said. "We appreciate the call of Marañon to dialog with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army. We are ready to talk to any government officials or individual officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-New People's Army," he said, "to explore possible areas of unity and cooperation in the interest of the masses."

Before the holidays, Marañon reiterated his call to the rebels for talks to discuss areas where projects can be implemented to uplift the lives of people in the countryside.

In his statement, Fernandez said they are ready to discuss with the governor their concerns against what he called anti-people criminal activities of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army, fascists' crimes of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police against the workers, a drug syndicate of a Bacolod businessman.

Marañon yesterday said if it is true that Fernandez was indeed the one who said the rebels are prepared to dialog with him, "This will be an exciting 2007 and beyond."

Fernandez can suggest what kind of projects he wants for the countryside, economic prosperity in the countryside has to be achieved but peace is needed to succeed, he said.

If we want to uplift the lives of the poor we have to create employment, he said.

Marañon said if Fernandez is sincere, the resources of the provincial government can be used for them to jointly address the needs of the poor.

Talks must be sincere, transparent and achievable, he said.

Meanwhile, Fernandez lauded Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra and members of the clergy for opposing moves by the Arroyo administration to amend the Constitution.

He charged the Arroyo administration with staging an unjust war against the people to keep the political and economic control of the country in the hands of a few and stay in power.

The Arroyo administration is desperate, that is why it has declared total war, but the rebel forces in Negros have also grown in strength, he added.

Fernandez also alleged the existence of sugar smuggling to allow those in power to amass funds to cheat in the May polls.

Col. Gregorio Fajardo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the Communist rebels are losing on all fronts that is why they are resorting to propaganda tactics and claims.*CPG

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