A group of peace advocates welcomed recent statements by Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front of the Philippines officials on their mutual “willingness and optimism” on ongoing efforts to revive formal peace negotiations.

In a statement, the Council of Leaders for Peace Initiatives (CLPI) said the separate assurance made by Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and NDFP Negotiating Panel chairperson Julie de Lima is reason to move forward with the ongoing exploratory talks.

“The CLPI is pleased that the Marcos administration, as stated by Secretary Galvez, is confident that it could sign the final peace agreement with the NDFP,” the CLPI said.

“We are also happy that NDFP Peace Panel Chair De Lima has reiterated their commitment to the resumption of peace negotiations and for its steadfast dedication to achieving a just and lasting peace,” council stated.

READ: NDFP steadfast, ready to negotiate with GRP; urges Marcos officials to resolve ‘mixed signals’

The group recalled the joint statement signed in Oslo, Norway in November 23 where the two parties agreed to work for a “principled and peaceful resolution of the armed conflict.”

The CLPI said the agreement acknowledged deep-rooted socioeconomic and political grievances and agreed to come up “with a framework that sets the priorities for the peace negotiation with the aim of achieving the relevant socioeconomic and political reforms towards a just and lasting peace.”

‘Anti-peace voices in GRP’

The council however expressed concern that there are elements in the Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  administration that continue to be in opposition to what Oslo statement had committed.

The group was referring to National Security Council chairperson Eduardo Año who dismissed the possibility of the exploratory talks going forward, going as far as alleging that revolutionary forces of the NDFP on the ground are in a debate whether to surrender arms or not.

Various NDFP formations, NPA commands and the CPP itself said Año is an inveterate peace saboteur, employing “overused tactics” to undermine the peace process.

The CLPI for its part urged President Marcos “to instruct those contrary and anti-peace voices within his government to align with the statement of Secretary Galvez.”

‘Time to name panels’

The CLPI said it would be helpful for both parties to acknowledge the history of the peace process and the agreements that have been earlier agreed upon.

It said it would also be helpful for both the GRP and the NDFP to already name the members of their respective panels, the main agenda items that are subject to negotiation and agreement, and a timeline/schedule of the talks.

Former GRP President Rodrigo Duterte dismantled the Manila government’s peace panel in 2017 while the NDFP has lost panel members in chairperson Fidel Agcaoili to ailment in 2020 and Benito Tiamzon to an alleged assassination in August 2022.

NDFP chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison died due to ailment in December 2022 while long-time resource person Edberto Villegas passed way in 2020.

Various NDFP peace consultants have also been killed by GRP forces, including Wilma Austria, Randy Malayao, Randall Echanis, Pedro Codaste, Ericson Acosta, as well as many others who have not been physically present in the negotiations but were parts of the Left’s peace process team.

Various other NDFP peace consultants are in jail, such as Vicente Ladlad, Renante Gamara, and Adelberto Silva who were present in the talks as late as 2017.

“It would also be good to agree and announce confidence-building measures, including release of NDFP peace consultants, protection, protocols and mechanism for participants in the process and temporary ceasefires,” the CLPI said.

The council offered full support and assistance to “resolute steps” by ongoing GRP and NDFP efforts “to make sure the pathway to peace opens up, progress is made, and a good conclusion is achieved.”

The group added that “the serious socioeconomic and environmental issues and the foreign security threats” continue to face the country and have in fact accelerated.

“More than ever, as expressed in the Oslo statement, we ‘need to unite as a nation in order to urgently address these challenges and resolve the reasons for the armed conflict,’” the CLPI said.

The council includes Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma; Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo; United Methodist church Bishop Ruby-Nell Estrella; former Ateneo Law School Dean Antonio La Viña; former Ambassador Victoria Bataclan; Pag-himud-os founding chairperson Rafael Coscolluela; former human rights commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit; former University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan;

UP-Cebu Chancellor LeoMalagar; Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture founder Melba Padilla Maggay; retired Cultural Center of the Philippines vice president Chris Millado; Ateneo de Davao College of Law Dean Manuel Quibod; Youth Advocates for Climate Action spokesperson Mitzi Jonelle Tan; Rose Hayahay of Save Our Schools; Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society chairperson Guiamel Mato Alim; and Youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente national president Koko Alviar. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)