Resumption of government- CPP peace talks pushed

BAGUIO CITY – Councilors Arthur Allad-iw, Leandro Yangot, Jr., Faustino Olowan and Benny Bomogao filed a resolution in the city council urging the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) to resume peace negotiations in a “non-adversarial way”.

The proposed measure stated peace negotiations should focus on the substantial agenda of social, economic and political reforms that address the root causes of armed conflict, “in deference to the outcry of Filipinos for a just and lasting peace”.

It said despite brief period of talks, the negotiating panels have been successful in achieving substantial gains citing the third round of talks held in Rome, Italy in January whose achievements include the agreement in principle of both panels on several items of the draft on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER) that includes free distribution of lands to landless farmers.

After the third round of talks, the fourth round is expected where major points will be agreed upon that could lead to the signing of CASER, a landmark document that addresses the country’s problem on poverty, the resolution states.

The proposed measure states that after the NDFP, followed by the GRP, lifted their respective unilateral cease-fire declaration, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte terminated the peace negotiations between the GRP and NDFP on February 5, “unless there is a compelling reason that will benefit the nation”.

“The termination of the peace negotiations would put to waste the substantial gains achieved under the administration of Pres. Duterte.  In fact, the decades’ armed conflict had caused more damage, particularly to non-combatant civilians who shouldered the consequences of the conflict,” it stated.

The resolution said “the peace talks should never end and should serve as a process requiring broad public participation, democratic consensus and an act of politics that can potentially spark a genuine transformation in Philippine society.  Hence, the call for the inclusion of community representatives in the Joint Monitoring Committee on the peace process especially on violations committed by, or against, any party so that the party found guilty of committing actions in violation of the agreement will answer for such violation”.

It stated that as a support to the peace talks, the city council earlier adopted a resolution that was submitted to Sec. Silvestre Bello and Luis Jalandoni, heads of the GRP and NDFP panels, respectively, when they visited the city.

“It is therefore imperative to support the call of various sectors for the resumption of the peace negotiations as it is the correct direction for a just and lasting peace in the country,” the proposed resolution said.- Gaby Keith