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GRP submits proposal for bilateral ceasefire deal; NDFP files complaint on Makilala clash

ROME, Italy— The peace negotiating panels exchanged documents today on the bilateral ceasefire proposal of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the formal complaint of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) regarding the Makilala clash last January 21.

Convening the ad hoc ceasefire committee on the fifth day of the formal talks, the parties each received from the other the documents in a brief meeting.

GRP chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III said he is encouraged by the NDFP’s reception to their bilateral ceasefire proposal, one of the government’s major objectives in this round of talks.

“The NDFP said we will discuss our bilateral ceasefire proposal on February 22 or 24 in The Netherlands,” Bello revealed.

“I find their response reasonable,” Bello said.

Bello also revealed that the final date of their meeting next month would depend of the availability of a Dutch archbishop who will be the caretaker of the reconstituted list of NDFP Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) protected consultants and peace process participants.

“I will witness the NDFP’s submission of their list of holders of documents of identification,” Bello said.

Both parties agreed last August at the first round of formal talks in Oslo, Norway to a reconstituted list after the encrypted original list’s pass key was corrupted by a raid conducted by the Dutch police of the NDFP International Office in August 28, 2007.

The NDFP in turn submitted to the GRP Panel a letter of protest in relation to the Makilala, North Cotabato clash between the 39th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) and the New People’s Army (NPA).

NDFP panel chairperson Fidel Agcaoili called the Makilala clash “a clear breach of the GRP’s own unilateral ceasefire declaration.”

A 33-year old NPA fighter was confirmed killed while Lt. Gen. Rey Guerrero, commanding officer of Eastern Mindanao Command of the AFP, denied eight PA soldiers were killed as alleged by the NPA’s Rigoberto Sanchez.

The GRP reportedly told the NDFP they will study the protest letter and wait for the official report from the AFP. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Third round opens amidst complaints of CARHRIHL and JASIG violations

ROME, Italy—Despite major problems before its convening, the third round of formal peace negotiations between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) opened as scheduled at ten thirty this morning local time (5:30 pm Philippine time).

Both parties expressed optimism that the six-day negotiations would achieve important agreements on socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms and human rights. Read more

CASER to be tackled most at third round of talks

ROME, Italy–The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) have approved a common agenda of the third round of formal negotiations.

Hours before the formal opening of the talks to be held for the first time in this ancient city, both panels met and agreed to spend five days of negotiations starting today until January 25 with a break on Sunday, January 22. Read more

NDFP, Duterte ceasefires to hold over holidays

THE ongoing unilateral ceasefire declarations of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) will stand over the Christmas and New Year holidays, promising to be the longest ever truce between the Manila government and the revolutionary Left.

The ceasefire declarations of August by both parties remain valid for December and January if not terminated, according to NDFP chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison.

“The NDFP has no intention of terminating the unilateral ceasefire declaration in December and probably even in January,” Sison said.

Previously, the Corazon Aquino GRP signed a 60-day ceasefire agreement with the NDFP as a result of their August-December 1986 formal talks at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

The agreement was terminated after seven farmers were killed in what became known as the Mendiola Massacre of January 1987.

“But the NDFP keeps on reminding the GRP to order its military force to desist from invading the territory of the people’s democratic government and to stop committing atrocities under Oplan Bayanihan or some other ‘oplan’,” Sison added.

President Rodrigo Duterte for his part asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines to observe a ceasefire over the Christmas and new year holidays.

“As agreed upon with local religious leaders, I am honestly, sincerely asking you for a ceasefire beginning December 23 to 27, then new year, 31st hanggang January 2, 3,” Duterte told the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in his speech at at its 81st anniversary rites at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.

In his speech, Duterte also confirmed Sison’s announcement on Facebook that they talked on the phone last December 19.

“I had a friendly and productive phone conversation with President Duterte about advancing the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations at around 7 p.m. last night Utrecht time,” Sison said.

Kodao interviewed Sison about these developments:

Kodao:  What did you and Duterte talk about?

Jose Maria Sison (JMS): We talked in general terms. I focused on the need to amnesty and release all the political prisoners and accelerate the negotiations on the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) as well as on Political and Constitutional Reforms (PCR).

I told him that the NDFP could go along with the GRP in founding the Federal Republic of the Philippines and making a new constitution with provisions for assuring enough resources for planned economic development and the preemption of political dynasties and warlordism.

President Duterte focused on opposing the oligarchs and running after corrupt officials. I agreed with him that the GRP and NDFP can agree on opposing US imperialism and the oligarchs in order to uphold national independence and economic development of the Philippines.

Kodao:  On top of the existing unilateral GRP ceasefire with the NDFP, President Duterte asked the AFP to observe a ceasefire “beginning December 23-27, then new year, 31st hanggang January 2-3.” What can you say about this?

JMS: The existing unilateral declarations of the GRP and the NDFP remain valid for December and January if not terminated. The NDFP has no intention of terminating the unilateral ceasefire declaration in December and probably even in January. But it keeps on reminding the GRP to order its military force to desist from invading the territory of the people’s democratic government and to stop committing atrocities under Oplan Bayanihan or some other oplan.

Kodao:  What was your discussion about the third round of the formal GRP-NDFP talks, if any?

JMS: We covered the third round of talks in a general way. I explained that we could make the comprehensive agreements in one year or less than two years. And we can cooperate on the implementation for three to five years. I told President Duterte that during his term, the foundation for the industrial development of the Philippines should be laid and we can proceed with further five-year economic plans to accomplish Ambisyon 2040.

Kodao:  What was your discussion regarding the political prisoners, if any?

JMS: I indicated briefly that President Duterte and I could meet in Rome if all the political prisoners were released and the bilateral ceasefire agreement is already signed by the Negotiating Panels before or during the third round of talks.

Kodao:  What is the truth regarding his claim that the CPP-NPA-NDFP “did not declare a cessation of hostilities somewhere”? (President Duterte may have been referring to the incident in Southern Mindanao region where NPA fighters killed GRP troops last August.)

JMS: It is possible that he was referring to that period in August when the CPP and NPA did not declare their own unilateral ceasefire and there was an NPA ambush on armed units of the AFP in Southern Mindanao. He must have mentioned it as an anecdote to show concern for his own troops.

Kodao:  What can you say about his claim that the NPA fighters may visit their families during the holidays and visit military camps to break bread with GRP soldiers?

JMS: During the validity and effectivity of the unilateral ceasefire agreements, the NPA Red commands can arrange family visits of Red fighters and organize or join peace rallies like those on December 26. But visiting AFP military camps and breaking bread with AFP soldiers can entail more difficult decision-making and working out complex arrangements to ensure safety. But in previous instances, when the NPA released prisoners of war, the NPA hosted Mayor Duterte and his armed escorts in NPA territory.

Kodao:  What is your reply to his statement that Communist rebels should “come down” from the mountains and rejoin society?”

JMS: It is appropriate for President Duterte to express his wish because the objective of the peace negotiations is to address the roots of the armed conflict, undertake social, economic, political and constitutional reforms and establish a just and lasting peace.

(Report and interview by Raymund B. Villanueva / Featured image by Jon Bustamante)

NDFP says ceasefire holding, but…

THE National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel said the respective unilateral ceasefire declarations by the revolutionary group and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) are holding despite reports of violations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a press release, NDFP Negotiating Panel chairperson Fidel Agcaoili said the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Operational Command of the New People’s Army’s (NPA) August 28 2016 Unilateral Declaration of Interim Ceasefire with the GRP remains valid.

Agcaoili was responding to an October 20 letter from GRP Negotiating Panel chairperson Silvestre Bello III proposing that both the NDFP and the GRP “simultaneously declare their renewed commitment to their respective unilateral indefinite ceasefire.”

Bello made the proposal in light of the parties’ failure to meet the October 26 deadline for them to work out a bilateral ceasefire agreement in accordance with their October 9 Oslo Joint Statement.

“The Parties renewed their commitment to work through their respective ceasefire committees to reconcile and develop their separate unilateral ceasefire orders into a single unified bilateral document within 60 days from August 26, 2016,” the parties’ second round of formal peace talks statement said.

Agcaoili said he informed Bello that there is no need for a new declaration as the CPP and NPA’s unilateral ceasefire declaration remains valid during the course of the peace negotiations or until a notice of termination takes effect 10 days after receipt of notice by the GRP Negotiating Panel from the NDFP Negotiating Panel.

Ceasefire violations

In its press release, the NDFP also said there are persistent reports from regional NPA commands of GRP violations of its own ceasefire, such as incursions into NPA territory in the guise of civic action and anti-drug operations.

Human rights group Karapatan for its part said the AFP is using the Rodrigo Duterte government’s so-called war against drugs as a cover in implementing its Oplan Bayanihan counter-insurgency operations against leftists.

Karapatan suspects GRP troops are responsible for the killing of youth activist and environment defender Joselito Pasaporte in Compostela Province last October 13, who the PNP said was included in its drug watch list.

Karapatan also said the war on drugs was the cover in the arrest of eight farmer-activists in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan last October 6.

“While the United States-driven Oplan Bayanihan remains operational, any form of people’s assertion of their rights will always be subject to repression. The ‘war against drugs’ is now being used as a convenient excuse by the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to undertake illegal arrests against citizens,” Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said.

Earlier, the NDFP said it suspects PNP elements are out to sabotage the peace process after the brutal police dispersal of an indigenous peoples-led rally at the United States (US) Embassy in Manila last October 18.

Agcaoili said it is most likely there are elements within the military and police who are against the new policy direction of their commander-in-chief, President Rodrigo Duterte, to pursue peace with the NDFP.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) also expressed shock at the violent dispersal, calling the police action “pure insanity.”

OPAPP added that it hopes the incident will not prevent the pursuit of achieving elusive peace in the country.

Violations may force NPA to retract

In a public forum last October 26, however, newly-appointed NDFP Negotiating Panel member Benito Tiamzon warned that continuing violations by the GRP would force the NPA to retract its unilateral ceasefire declaration.

“If the situation gets worse, it would be better to pursue the talks without ceasefire,” Tiamzon told dispersal victims last October 26.

“If the AFP continues to violate the ceasefire, it will not be long and it is highly probable that the NPA would retract its unilateral ceasefire,” he said.

Tiamzon recalled that, in the past, the peace talks continued even without a ceasefire.

More stable ceasefire possible

In his reply to Bello, Agcaoili reminded his counterpart of GRP’s commitments on the releases and amnesty of political prisoners in accordance with their June 15, August 26 and October 9 joint statements.

The NDFP Negotiating Panel has also recalled on several instances that it was Duterte who repeatedly volunteered issuing a general amnesty proclamation for political prisoners.

“Fulfillment of such commitment would serve as a big incentive towards accelerating the peace negotiations and forging a mutual stable ceasefire,” the NDFP said.

In their latest joint statement, the parties said they are exerting their best efforts to develop a single and unified document of a bilateral ceasefire agreement within a desired period.

There has been no GRP-NDFP bilateral ceasefire agreement since 1987. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

 

 

Joma explains why the peace talks are always important

In this video, NDFP chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison explains that the peace talks must achieve substantial benefits for the Filipino people before a permanent ceasefire may be discussed.

Read more

Joma explains the status of the ongoing peace nego after 2nd day

The parties determined they have the political will to continue with the peace negotiations, maganda lalo na on the side of the GRP. They have a president who said he is a left president. We appreciate the release of theJASIG-protected consultants.  But I also pointed out that a big incentive to accelerate the peace process ay iyong promise to amnesty and release of all political prisoners. It was a promise that originated from President Duterte in his conversations with Fidel Agcaoili.  So, I said, the amnesty and release of all political prisoners would be a good incentive for the signing of a joint or bilateral ceasefire agreement that is more stable than this ceasefire through unilateral declaration—which happen to be holding, huh. It will also be a strong incentive for the accelerated peace talks on socio-economic and political and constitutional reforms. Read more

Despite reported violations, NDFP and GRP discuss bilateral ceasefire

NATIONAL Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) representatives met Tuesday and Wednesday (September 20 and 21) at the Royal Norwegian Government’s (RNG) Embassy in Taguig City to discuss the possibility of revitalizing their Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) on human rights and international humanitarian law and the possibility of a bilateral ceasefire.

In an effort to further accelerate their peace negotiations, the NDFP and the GRP agreed to hold committee and sub-committee level discussions on both issues facilitated by Norwegian Special Envoy for the Philippine Peace Process Elizabeth Slattum.

The discussions’ agreements are currently being reviewed before their elevation to the negotiating panels for approval at their formal negotiations in Oslo, Norway on October 6 to 10.

“Whatever was agreed upon by the working groups in the Philippines will be elevated to the panel level during formal talks in Oslo for discussion and approval,” GRP Negotiating Panel member Hernani Braganza said.

“This is another breakthrough in the peace process,” Braganza said.

The NDFP was represented by panel members Fidel Agcaoili and Coni Ledesma as well as consultant Concha Araneta-Bocala while the GRP delegation was led by its committees on JMC and Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms chair Efren Moncupa at their discussion on the JMC last Tuesday.

On the verge

Formed after the February and March-April 2004 formal peace talks, the JMC is tasked to monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

After JMC’s Joint Secretariat office was established in June 4, 2004, however, the GRP under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno C. Aquino governments has refused to undertake joint activities with the NDFP Monitoring Committee.

The NDFP also revealed that the Aquino administration through its Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles asked the RNG to terminate its support for the JS.

“The RNG disagreed with the proposal.  They told the GPH they could not unilaterally cease their support of the JS as it is part of the agreement enshrined in the CARHRIHL,” NDFP Negotiating Panel member and Human Rights Committee chairperson Fidel Agcaoili said.

He added that the RNG reminded the GPH that closing down the JS must be a mutual decision of the parties to the CARHRIHL.

The GRP Monitoring Committee nominated section of the JS has since been noticeably downsized while the NDFP counterpart has maintained its full complement of staff members involved in organizing and attending peace forums, publishing books and various other peace-related and human rights activities.

A total of 6,397 human rights violations complaints have been filed at the JS office in Cubao, Quezon City, as of last May 23.

Four thousand four hundred seventy one complaints have been filed against the GPH while 1,926 complaints have been filed against the NDFP.

Many of the human rights violations complaints against the GPH were connected to retired Major General Jovito Palparan and the various units under his commands during the Arroyo government.

“More durable and permanent ceasefire”

The discussions in Taguig City yesterday talked about the possibility of extending the ongoing GRP-NDFP mutual, unilateral and indefinite ceasefire declarations and proposed agreement on a joint ceasefire.

“What we have at the moment is a unilateral ceasefire declared by both parties. We hope to sign a bilateral agreement in Oslo for a joint ceasefire, which is more durable and permanent,” said Braganza, supervising panel member for the JMC and GRP ceasefire committee.

“Our aim is to harmonize the operational guidelines of the GRP and the NDF during ceasefire to avoid mis-encounters or other violations of the agreement. We are also expected to come up with a mechanism for reporting of ceasefire violations,” Braganza said.

Braganza noted that the GRP and the NDF panels earlier agreed “to reconcile and develop their separate unilateral ceasefire orders into a single unified bilateral document within 60 days.

The NDFP and allied organization Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) have reported ceasefire violations by GRP forces, however.

“Disrespect of Duterte”

The CPP reported that the 50th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA) has arrested Marcos “Ka Munroe” Aggalao, a 73-year old retired NPA fighter at Balbalan, Kalinga last September 10.

Tipon Gil-Ayad, spokesperson of the Lejo Cawilan Command of the New People’s Army in Kalinga Province said Aggalao’s arrest violated the ongoing ceasefire declarations and the CARHRIHL because of Aggalao’s age and non-combatant status.

NDFP-Mindoro reported that Philippine National Police-Region IV B has arrested NPA member Jeffrey de los Reyes in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro last September 21 “while fulfilling his tasks for the peace process.”

Ka Ma. Patricia Andal, NDF-Mindoro spokesperson, accused the PNP as “traitors” and “insincere towards the peace talks.”

“They are boorish for disrespecting the ceasefire directive of their commander in chief Rodrigo Duterte,” Andal said.

The Celso Minguez Command of the NPA also reported that the 31st IBPA are still operating in Barangays Sinibaran, Bon-ot, Coron-coron, Cabagahan and Bariis in the town of Matnog and in Barangay San Antonio, Barcelona in Sorsogon despite  the Armed Forces of the Philippines’s reported confirmation that GRP troops have been recalled from their combat operations in accordance with President Duterte’s ceasefire declaration.

“They remain in these areas.  Meanwhile, they again conducted operations in Barangay Calateo in the municipality of Juban (Sorsogon) since the morning September 15, 2016,” NPA’s Celso Minguez Command spokesperson Samuel Guerrero said in a press statement.

“The actions of the 31st IBPA troops violate its own ceasefire and the order of their Commander-in-Chief, President Duterte, to strictly abide the Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO) of the AFP,” Guerrero said.

Meanwhile, OPAPP announced the composition of the GRP and the NDFP’s ceasefire committees.

Ceasefire committees formed

“The GRP ceasefire committee is chaired by Dr. Francisco Lara, currently Philippine Country Director of Philippine Alert; with members that include Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, Atty. Adel Abas, retired police Senior Supt. Wilmer Panabang and Atty. Marie Dinah Tolentino-Fuentes,” OPAPP in a statement said.

It also said that Agcaoili is NDFP’s ceasefire committee chairperson with NDFP consultants Benito Tiamzon, Rafael Baylosis, Tirso Alcantara and Alfredo Mapano as members. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Panels announce six agreements on 4th day of talks

OSLO, Norway—The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace panels have already agreed on six major issues barely into the fourth day of their scheduled five-day talks.

Moving with surprising dispatch, both panels already initialled their joint drafts of the affirmation of previously signed agreements, reconstitution of NDFP’s list of Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG)-protected personnel, acceleration of the peace negotiations, the mode of interim ceasefire, general amnesty of NDFP-listed political detainees, and the convening of the Joint Monitoring Committee of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

All six agreements are currently being combined and will be issued as a Joint Statement at the closing ceremony scheduled at eleven o’clock in the morning of Friday, August 26.

Natutuwa kami sa naging resulta ng pag-uusap ngayon.  Itong anim na punto ay magandang produkto na ng pag-uusap. At mahusay ang atmosphereVery friendly at cordial,” NDFP chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni said.

“It turned out that both panels did not have many differences in opinion, so we reached an early consensus,” GRP negotiating panel chairperson Silvestre Bello III for his part said.

Bello said they will recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte the issuance of a general amnesty to all political detainees included in the list submitted by the NDFP.

Both panels have also agreed to hold their next round of formal talks in the second week of October in this city. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

 

 

 

 

Sison: NDFP has been patient and working hard for peace

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES (NDFP) chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison said that President Rodrigo Duterte failed to display patience in preempting the Communist Party of the Philippines’ announcement of its own unilateral declaration of ceasefire last night.

In this interview, Sison responds to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process chairperson Jesus Dureza’s statement issued earlier today.  Read more