Sen. Bam on the cancellation of peace talks with NPA
(Transcript of media interview)

Sen. Bam: Mahirap talagang magkaroon ng peace talks kung may mga nangyayaring ganyan on the ground.

All of us want peace, but both parties need to come to the table with clean hands. Hindi puwedeng may mga nangyayaring altercations on the ground habang nagpi-peace talks ka.

I've made that statement before na tigil iyong karahasan. If there is a true ceasefire, let it happen first and then resume the peace talks.

Q: Do you agree with the President to cancel the peace talks?

Sen. Bam: I've said this in the past na kung tuluy-tuloy ang kanilang altercations, hindi talaga puwedeng magkaroon ng maayos na peace talks.

In any type of situation, kung mag-uusap tayo, kailangan pareho nating isasantabi ang ating mga armas. In this case, we've had multiple reports on the ground, not just from the military, but from the LGUs and multiple businesses, na tuluy-tuloy ang attacks ng NPA sa kanila.

Ang ninanais natin, baka mas magandang postpone muna hanggang maayos ang ganyang klaseng local na altercations and then come again to the table na in good faith and with clean hands.