NDFP releases backchannel documents

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel has given media outfits copies of the documents forged between them and representatives of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) negotiating panel after four rounds of backchannel talks in May and June.

NDFP chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili sent Kodao copies of the following:

1. The Stand Down Agreement,
2. Guidelines and Procedures towards an Interim Peace Agreement and the Resumption of Talks and its attached timetable,
3. The Initialed Interim Peace Agreement, and
4. The NDFP Proposed Draft of the Amnesty Proclamation which was given to the GRP and the Third Party Facilitator.

Agcaoili said they are giving copies of the documents “[i]n the interest of truth and transparency in view of the GRP’s unilateral decision to postpone the resumption of the talks in Oslo on June 28 and the apparent wish to have Prof. (Jose Maria) Sison visit the country even before the IPA(Interim Peace Agreement) and its component agreements and parts, the completion of the CASER (Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms) and the full implementation of the Amnesty Proclamation and release of all PPs (political prisoners).”

NDFP’s move came after the GRP unilaterally aborted the scheduled resumption of formal talks between the parties on June 28 in Oslo, Norway.

Earlier, NDFP chief political consultant Sison dared both parties to divulge the documents to both the media and the public after GRP peace adviser Jesus Dureza said the reason for the postponement was GRP President Rodrigo Duterte’s desire to consult the general public.

The NDFP and several peace advocates, however, dismissed the GRP’s statement, saying consultations may be conducted while negotiations are being held.

Kapayapaan Campaign for a Just and Lasting Peace blamed so-called militarists in government for the cancellation of the formal talks.

“That the suspension comes after a command conference with the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows the power that warmongers wield over the civilian branch of this government,” Kapayapaan said.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) added that  Duterte’s nth time cancellation of the scheduled resumption of formal peace negotiations is totally unacceptable.

“He has also canceled the scheduled stand down that was set to take effect one week before the formal talks,” CPP said.

The following are the documents signed between the NDFP and the GRP Agcaoili said were witnessed by the Third Party Facilitator, the Royal Norwegian Government:

 

The Stand Down Agreement

 

 

Guidelines and Procedures towards an Interim Peace Agreement and the Resumption of Talks and its attached timetable

 

The Initialed Interim Peace Agreement

Note that only NDFP chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili and GRP panel member Hernani Braganza initialed the document. GRP’s Atty. Efren Moncupa and NDFP legal consultant Atty. Edre Olalia initialed the document as witnesses.

 

NDFP Proposed Draft of the Amnesty Proclamation  given to the GRP and the Third Party Facilitator

 

(Raymund B. Villanueva)