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CPP launches ‘3rd Rectification Movement’ on 55th founding anniversary

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The 55-year old Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) called on its members to launch a rectification movement to recover from admitted setbacks suffered in recent years.

In its traditional founding anniversary statement, the CPP said it committed “critical errors and tendencies, weaknesses and shortcomings in the ideological, political and organizational fields.”

These errors impeded the revolutionary party’s growth that also affected the further advance of the revolution it leads, it said.

“To overcome and repudiate these errors, the Central Committee calls on the entire Party to wage a rectification movement on the basis of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism and the Party’s basic principles as enunciated by Ka Joma (CPP founding chairperson Jose Maria Sison, who died December 16, 2022).

The underground organization (founded in December 26, 1968) said its third rectification movement is aimed at further strengthening itself primarily through the study and application of revolutionary theoretical theory and practice.

“There is widespread complacency in the study and application of revolutionary theory to serve as guide to practice, and timidity as well in drawing theory from practice,” it said.

These errors resulted in battlefield losses suffered by the New People’s Army (NPA), a slowdown in the recruitment of new members and in both rural and rural areas, and retardation of the revolutionary mass movement nationwide, it said.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE: Rectify errors and strengthen the Party! Unite and lead the broad masses of the Filipino people in fighting the US-Marcos regime! Advance the people’s democratic revolution!

The CPP said problems have already been identified as early as 2016 when it held its 2nd National Congress but have persisted.

Study-led rectification

The CPP said its third rectification movement is made up of eight components:

  1. A study campaign on Marxism-Leninism-Maoism and the writings of communist leaders such as Sison;
  2. A full implementation of the three-level (basic, intermediate, and advanced) Party course;
  3. A study campaign on its constitution and program;
  4. A review of its first and second “Great Rectification Movements”;
  5. A summing up campaign to identify recent errors;
  6. A social investigation and class analysis campaign on all sectors;
  7. A criticism and self-criticism campaign; and
  8. Evaluation of the performances of its cadres.

The CPP’s first great rectification movement was launched when it was reestablished in 1968 after the old Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas died, while its second was launched in the early 1990s against renegade elements in various levels of its leadership.

Sources said the CPP’s earlier rectification movements were labeled “great” as it spelled the very life and death of the Party.

The underground organization’s new campaign is simply called “rectification movement.”

Strengthening

In its statement, the CPP also called on its members to continue in leading antifascist, anti-imperialist and anti-feudal struggles of the Filipino people against United States of America imperialism and the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regime.

It also ordered its members to strengthen the NPA, rebuild the guerrilla army’s mass bases and help it recover from losses.

The Party ordered the strengthening of “revolutionary mass movements” in the countryside, cities and abroad as well.

On the National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ announced dialogues with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines for the possible resumption of formal peace negotiations, the CPP cautioned its members against Malacanan’s “framework of capitulation.”

“Push for the recognition of all previous agreements including the The Hague Joint Declaration, the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law,” it added. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Negros NPA to observe ceasefire despite continuing AFP offensives

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The New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Island announced it will abide by the two-day ceasefire order announced by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the revolutionary army’s National Operational Command.

Despite the absence of a reciprocal truce declaration from the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command (AGC) of the NPA said its five guerrilla fronts in the south and north of the island will celebrate the CPP’s 55th founding anniversary with the peasant masses.

Their celebrations would center on honoring Negros Island heroes and martyrs such as Rogelio Posadas, Ericson Acosta, Juanito Magbanua (Romeo Nanta) and many others, it added.

The CPP and the NPA said Saturday their unilateral ceasefire order shall be in effect between 00:01 of December 25, Christmas Day, and 23:59 of December 26, the CPP’s anniversary.

They however cautioned the NPA to keep their celebrations secret and to remain in high alert due to possible attacks by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

On Christmas eve, the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government has yet to respond to the NPA declaration of suspension of military offensives.

Both the revolutionary Left and the Manila government traditionally reciprocate such declarations over the Christmas and New Year, the last one being in 2019.

The CPP and the GRP last declared reciprocal unilateral ceasefires at the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.

In a radio interview over 92.3 Radyo5 True FM last Friday, December 22, defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro said the GRP is unlikely to declare a holiday truce with the NPA.

“There is no movement in the exploratory talks (between the GRP and the NDFP)…AFP operations shall continue uninterrupted,” Teodoro said, referring to the parties’ announcement last November 29 that a series of dialogue happened for a possible resumption of formal peace negotiations. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

CPP-NPA declares 2-day ceasefire

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The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) declared a two-day ceasefire effective Christmas Day and its 55th Anniversary, December 25 and 26, respectively.

In an announcement on its website, the CPP Central Committee as well as the New People’s Army (NPA) National Operational Command ordered all NPA units across the Philippines to suspend offensive military operations starting 00:01 of December 25 to 23:59 of December 26.

“The two-day ceasefire aims to allow the peasant masses and NPA units in their area to conduct assemblies, meetings or gatherings to celebrate the Party’s anniversary, look back at past achievements, and pay tribute to all heroes and martyrs of the Philippine revolution,” the announcement reads.

“This ceasefire declaration is also in solidarity with people’s traditional holiday celebrations,” it adds.

The CPP and NPA last declared a suspension of military operations in March 2020 in response to the global appeal by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres for an end to hostilities because of the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier that month, then Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) President Rodrigo Duterte also announced his administration’s own ceasefire order in order to focus on its anti-Covid19 response.

The Ferdinand Marcos GRP has yet to respond to the new CPP-NPA ceasefire declaration.

Last month, the CPP-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the GRP simultaneously announced the signing of the November 23 Oslo Joint Statement revealing both parties have been engaged in a series of dialogue to look at the possibility of the resumption of formal peace negotiations between both parties.

In its ceasefire announcement today, the CPP and the NPA however cautioned all their units to remain alert “in the face of the relentless offensives, state terrorism and fascist crimes of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).”

“[A]ll units of the NPA are placed in high alert and must be vigilant and ready to act in self-defense to counter and frustrate hostile movement or actions of enemy units within the scope of the NPA’s guerrilla fronts and areas of operations. The NPA and the masses are advised to maintain a high level of secrecy in the conduct of their activities,” the announcement reads.

The NPA can resume its military offensive actions at 00:00 of December 27, it added. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Duterte admits threatening to kill Joma, joins Sara in opposing talks resumption with NDFP

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Former president Rodrigo Duterte admitted he threatened to kill the late National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison that contributed to the 2017 termination of the peace process between his government and the revolutionary Left.

In a radio interview with his former chief legal adviser Salvador Panelo over DZRJ 810 AM last Wednesday, December 20, Duterte said he cursed at Sison in a phone conversation who returned the favor.

“[W]e ended up…nagmurahan kami. Pinu-t****** ko siya, sumagot din siya ng put****** mo…Sabi ko, huwag ka umuwi sa Pilipinas, papatayin kita!” Duterte narrated. (We exchanged expletives. I told him he was a son-of-a_b****. He responded in kind. I then told him, ‘Do not go home to the Philippines, I will kill you.)

Duterte did not give details on when his conversation with the Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairperson–his one time political science professor–happened.

Duterte said his call with Sison started politely, both greeting each other and their respective families with pleasantries. But their exchange turned for the worse when they started arguing about the definition of terms in the peace proposals submitted by the NDFP.

He said the particular phone call was probably listened in to by the military.

“That was the saga of the peace talks during my time. So it was terminated. Sabi ko, no peace talks anymore. Ever,” Duterte said.

The former president terminated formal negotiations with the NDFP in June 2017 when both parties were set to sign a prospective Interim Peace Agreement that included social and economic reforms and a long-term ceasefire.

In May 2017, Duterte ordered his negotiators, led by then labor secretary Silvestre Bello III, to cancel the fifth round of formal talks when both parties were already in The Netherlands for the continuation of what could have been the most successful episode in the nearly three decade history of the GRP-NDFP negotiations.

Wednesday’s rant was the longest that Duterte has addressed the peace talks issue since the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government has announced an ongoing dialogue for the possible resumption of the negotiations.

Duterte admitted that his termination of the peace negotiations with the NDFP “was only good for my (his) term.”

“[But] A new president has initiated another,” he said, adding he wishes there would no longer be negotiations with the NDFP.

Father joins daughter in opposing talks

Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio also expressed her opposition to the resumption of the negotiations, calling the November 23 Joint Statement between the GRP and the NDFP a “deal with the devil” in her first-ever public rebuke of Marcos Jr.

Leaders of both the House of Representatives and the Senate have however expressed support for the initiative, lending support to speculations of a widening rift between the Dutertes and the Marcoses.

Aside from the peace talks with the NDFP, both political dynasties are seen to differ on the use of confidential-intelligence funds and the government’s stance on the West Philippine/South China Sea issue.

The Dutertes are known to be close to China while Marcos is seen to be close to the United States of America that are inching towards a possible military confrontation in the region.

The Marcos government is also seen as open to the Philippines rejoining the Rome Statute creating the International Criminal court where the Dutertes are facing investigations for alleged crimes against humanity in relation to the former president’s bloody drug war that has reportedly killed thousands in a span of just over two years. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

NDFP: Teodoro’s insinuation of surrender by Reds ‘simply untrue’   

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The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) belied claims made by defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro it was the Left that sought a dialogue with the Government of the Republic of Philippines (GRP) for a possible resumption of formal negotiations.

The NDFP also said insinuations that it is now willing to surrender is “simply untrue.”

“It was the GRP who first approached the NDFP and not the other way around,” the revolutionary alliance said in a statement published on their website.

“Teodoro sings out of tune compared to what his colleagues in the GRP delegation is saying as well as what was agreed by both Parties in the joint statement signed last November 23,” it added.

In a television interview last Friday, Teodoro said there are no formal negotiations yet with the NDFP, adding that as he understood it, “[T]here was a request by the NDF to a (GRP) negotiator that they were willing to give up the armed struggle.”

“[W]e have to see first what the conditions are for talks to continue,” Teodoro said.

The defense secretary who earlier said he is against the resumption of formal peace negotiations with the NDFP added that counter-insurgency activities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict against the Left will continue.

The NDFP however said Teodoro’s claims and insinuations are “head-scratching” and “out of tune” with the spirit of the November 23 Oslo Joint Statement issued by both parties and witnessed by representatives of the Royal Norwegian Government.

“We ask the GRP to focus their efforts instead on the substantive agenda items of the negotiations. Before proceeding to any conversation about the cessation of hostilities, we urge the GRP to go back to the negotiating table and discuss first the remaining substantive agenda items under the Hague Joint Declaration,” the NDFP said in its rebuttal.

This means discussing the draft Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms which primarily addresses the root causes of civil war, the group added.

“The NDFP reiterates that the point of entering peace negotiations is not to arrive at capitulation, but to create a space conducive to discuss mutually acceptable and principled ways of achieving just and lasting peace,” it said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

No talk of surrender in the peace negotiations, NDFP says

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The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) said it will never consider any talk about its surrender and those of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) should peace negotiations with the Ferdinand Marcos government push through.

In a statement, NDFP Executive Council member and senior adviser to the NDFP Negotiating Panel Luis Jalandoni said, “[T]here is and should absolutely be no talk or insinuation, much less demand, about the surrender of the NDFP or of the revolutionary struggle of the CPP, NPA and NDFP.”

Jalandoni explained that their group has always negotiated with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) under various administrations to genuinely resolve the real reasons for the armed conflict.

“The peace negotiations are not negotiations for capitulation but rather a unique opportunity to find mutually acceptable and principled ways of addressing the root causes of the civil war,” he said.

This means, among others, the land problem that impacts on more than 70% of the entire Philippine population, namely the farmers, he explained.

“Their struggle for land must be addressed,” the former NDFP chief negotiator said.

Jalandoni added that their agreement to enter anew into the peace process with the GRP is based on the premises and context of their November 23 Joint Statement.

“Morover, we in the NDFP have firmly asserted from the start that we must build on the basic bilateral agreements, namely, The Hague Joint Declaration of September 1, 1992, the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) which remain binding between the Parties,” he explained.

Earlier, presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said the prospective peace talks between the NDFP and the Marcos GRP would not be a resumption but a “new beginning.” 

The former general added that the absence of “preconditions” will give the parties “greater flexibility to engage in meaningful, honest discussions, and by doing so, allow the peace process to move forward at a more definite and faster pace.”

Jalandoni however said various issues and concerns from both sides remain outstanding and are yet to be negotiated across the table.

“We in the NDFP are ever committed to enter into peace negotiations with the GRP in a determined quest for a just and lasting peace that will be of lasting benefit to the Filipino people,” he said.

All but Sara

Meanwhile, top leaders of both houses of Congress said they support President Marcos’ decision to negotiate with the NDFP.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri told reporters last Wednesday he approves of the resumption of the peace talks.

“Any political move that will end any conflict within the Philippines, I’m in favor of, because those are long lasting solutions,” he said.

Earlier, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the peace negotiations are not mere political maneuvers but a responsibility of both parties in pursuit of peace.

Unlike Zubiri and Romualdez however, Vice President Sara Duterte has openly rebuked Marcos Jr.’s decision to negotiate with the NDFP, the first such instance since the country’s top four leaders ran and won under the UniTeam slogan in the 2022 national elections. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

VP Sara rebukes BBM’s peace plan, fuels speculation of rift with Marcos

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Vice President Sara Duterte publicly disagreed with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the possible resumption of formal negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), in turn earning criticisms and disagreements from members of both houses of Congress.

In probably her first public rebuke of her political ally, Duterte told Marcos to review plans to revive negotiations with Communist revolutionaries, calling the November 23 Joint Statement between Manila government emissaries and the NDFP “an agreement with the devil.”

“Mr. President, we can negotiate for peace and reconciliation and pursue meaningful development efforts in the Philippines without capitulating to the enemies,” Duterte said.

“They will use these peace negotiations to betray government and deceive the public,” she added.

Duterte earned swift condemnation from House of Representatives (HOR) Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers’ Party Representative France Castro who said the vice president’s statement is anti-peace and advocating for war as well as intolerant of different beliefs.

“The remarks made by Vice President Sara Duterte are detrimental to the pursuit of genuine peace negotiations. By posturing as if she is the president of the country and questioning the first steps to a peace negotiation between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the (NDFP), she is undermining the efforts to address the roots of the armed conflict in the Philippines,” Castro said.

Castro said it is alarming that the vice president’s statements reflect a lack of understanding of the complexities of the peace process and a disregard for the aspirations for just and lasting peace.

“Instead of promoting war, we call on the Vice President and those she represents to support efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict in the country,” Castro added.

Breaking up?

Allies of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez at the HOR likewise commended “initiatives for peace and national unity,” by the Marcos government, contradicting the vice president’s statements.

In a statement, the so-called Political Party Leaders in the HOR described the development as an “historic move” in the country’s journey towards lasting peace and sustainable development.

At the Senate, Sen. JV Ejercito urged Duterte to talk directly to the President regarding her opinion about the planned resumption of peace negotiations to prevent further speculations of a rift between the allies.

“Better if [Duterte] talked to [Marcos] directly to quash speculations that, politically, they are headed to go in their separate ways,” Ejercito told ABS-CBN Monday night.

Duterte earlier criticized erstwhile allies in Congress who voted to reject her request of at least P125 million pesos in confidential and intelligence funds for her office and the Department of Education that she also heads.

She also downplayed the exodus of members of her political party Hugpong ng Pagbabago to Romualdez’s  Laban-CMD.

Duterte and Romualdez are seen to be rivals in the 2028 presidential race.

Romualdez is a cousin of Marcos.

Sought for comment, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III also welcomed Marcos’ intention to talk peace again with the NDFP.

“Between Filipinos, we should always be open to dialogue,” Pimentel added. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

CPP: If surrender is all Galvez wants, we are not negotiating

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The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) warned it will not negotiate if all presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. wants in the prospective negotiations between the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is surrender of the revolutionary groups.

In a statement Sunday, December 3, CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena criticized Galvez’s opposition to calls to have the CPP, NDFP and the New People’s Army removed from the GRP’s list of so-called terrorists.

Valbuena said the former general dismissed as “pre-conditions” calls made by various organizations to also remove NDFP National Executive Council member and former chief peace negotiator Luis Jalandoni from the list as well as the release of at least 12 NDFP peace negotiators and consultants.

“[H]e should explain to the public how peace talks with the NDFP can proceed without removing the CPP/NPA/NDFP from the GRP’s ‘terrorist list’ without the GRP violating its own oft-repeated policy of ‘We do not negotiate with terrorists.’ Doesn’t it smack of bad faith that he will negotiate with Ka Luis across the table while calling him a ‘terrorist?’ Valbuena asked.

Reacting to statements made by various groups after the simultaneous announcement of the November 23 GRP-NDFP Joint Statement, Galvez said, “There should be no preconditions whatsoever, as these can derail future discussions.”

“As we have learned from our past experiences, making such preconditions even before the start of the discussions put a huge burden on both sides when there is still a need to agree on the parameters and framework of the talks,” he added.

Among those who made such calls were the CPP and activist groups such as Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and Karapatan that also welcomed the Joint Statement stating the parties’ desire to resume peace negotiations.

In their press conference last November 28, NDFP Negotiating Panel interim chairperson Julieta de Lima clarified that their call to have their consultants and nearly 800 other political prisoners released are not preconditions but issues to be discussed before formal talks can proceed.

Valbuena said Galvez should not automatically dismiss such calls but explain to the public how the negotiations with the NDFP can proceed when the group’s consultants are in jail.

“Indeed, these are practical issues, which if unresolved, makes it very difficult to even imagine how peace talks can proceed, both from the perspective of the GRP (the ‘we do not negotiate with terrorists’ quandary), and the NDFP (‘we cannot negotiate from behind bars’),” Valbuena explained.

Valbuena said that if Galvez is averse to hearing such demands, he could not be expected to hear about “the basic and urgent demands” of the people for land reform and national industrialization as well as other social justice and national sovereignty issues.

The CPP officer also challenged Galvez to explain the former general’s own statements regarding a non-existent “final peace agreement” and to make the prospective formal negotiations “start anew.”

“Does Galvez want to reduce peace talks to mere ‘surrender’ talks, which we are keenly aware is what the military and the US (United States of America) have long wanted?” Valbuena asked.

“If capitulation is what Galvez and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) merely wants, then they should immediately be told: this is not negotiable!” Valbuena warned. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

CPP, other groups welcome possible peace talks resumption

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The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) welcomed the signing of the Oslo Joint Statement last November 23 in Oslo, Norway by representatives of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) declaring intent to hold formal peace negotiations.

In a statement issued after the simultaneous announcement by both parties and the Royal Norwegian Government as Third Party Facilitator, the CPP said it supports the NDFP Negotiating Panel led by interim chairperson Julieta de Lima, Coni Ledesma and Asterio Palima as well as NDFP National Executive Council member Luis Jalandoni “in their representation of broad democratic interests of the Filipino people” in the prospective resumption of negotiations.

“The Oslo Joint Statement is a first half-step in the long march leading to the resumption of formal peace negotiations, and in the even longer road of achieving the people’s aspiration for a just and lasting peace,” CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena said.

The CPP blamed former GRP president Rodrigo Duterte for wasting gains made by the NDFP and GRP negotiating panels that seemed close to signing major agreements under the social and economic reform agenda of the talks.

Among those set to be signed upon were free land distribution to poor farmers and a stand down agreement before Duterte terminated the negotiations in June 2017, subsequently declaring the NDFP, CPP and the New People’s Army as so-called terrorist organizations in November of that year.

“In his blood-lust, former GRP President Duterte threw ten thousand thorns and spikes at the road of peace and rendered it impassable. With the mistaken notion that the armed revolution can be crushed through sheer armed might, Duterte unleashed his war of state terrorism marked by abductions, torture, murder and massacres,” Valbuena said.

The CPP said Duterte utterly failed as shown by the Marcos GRP’s discussions with the NDFP to possibly resume peace negotiations.

‘Thorns and spikes’

CPP said it is now the “distinct responsibility” of the Marcos government to remove roadblocks that litter the road to peace negotiations.

The revolutionary party said Marcos must release all the NDFP peace consultants to allow them to take part in the discussions and negotiations and rescind the “terrorist” designation of the NDFP, the CPP, the NPA as well as those individually proscribed such as Jalandoni and other personnel of the NDFP.

The CPP said Marcos must withdraw Duterte-issued Executive Order No 70 and Memorandum Order No 32, dismantle the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and repeal the Anti-Terror Law in order for the discussions on possible talks resumption to move forward.

The group added Marcos should also order the Armed Forces of the Philippines to withdraw armed soldiers conducting so-called localized peace negotiations and community support in civilian communities defending their land and democratic rights that are subjected to aerial bombing and artillery shelling.

The CPP also called for the release of more than 800 political prisoners in the country.

Other groups express support

Other groups also expressed support to the signing of the Oslo Joint Communique, asking the parties to prioritize social justice, economic concerns and human rights in the negotiations if the talks resume.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) said it welcomes the development as it hopes the peace talks could be a platform to hear out urgent people’ concerns such as landlessness, lack of decent jobs and livelihood and brutal military attacks on civilian communities.

“We advise them to overcome the malicious actions of peace spoilers. This necessarily entails the reversal of presidential proclamations and orders that make it impossible to restart the peace process,” BAYAN added.

Rights group Karapatan also said it welcomes the signing of the document it said should facilitate the reaffirmation of commitments and adherence to previously signed agreements such as The Hague Joint Declaration, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, and Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.

In a statement, Karapatan also said it hopes for the finalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms and the drafting of the Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms towards the resolution of the root causes of the armed conflict if the talks resume. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

GRP, NDFP announce possible resumption of peace talks

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The Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) simultaneously announced the possible resumption of formal peace negotiations after the approval of a Joint Communique signed six years to the day after former president Rodrigo Duterte terminated the talks.

In a November 23 communique signed in Oslo, Norway, the parties said the development resulted from a series of informal discussions held in The Netherlands and Norway starting in 2022 between their respective emissaries.

The communique said the discussions were upon the initiative of former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Emmanuel Bautista who was personally welcomed by then NDFP chief political Consultant Jose Maria Sison.

The parties said the discussions were facilitated by the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG).

“Cognizant of the serious socioeconomic and environmental issues, and the foreign security threats facing the country, the parties recognize the need to unite as a nation in order to urgently address these challenges and resolve the reasons for the armed conflict,” the Communique said.

The document said both parties agree to a principled and peaceful resolution of the nearly 55-year old armed conflict.

“The parties acknowledge the deep-rooted socioeconomic and political grievances and agree 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. Such framework, that will set the parameters for the final peace agreement, shall be agreed upon by both parties,” it said.

“Consequently, we envision and look forward to a country where a united people can live in peace and prosperity,” it added.

The communique was signed by Special Assistant to the President Sec. Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. in behalf of the GRP and NDFP National Executive Council member Luis Jalandoni.

It was witnessed by Presidential Adviser on Peace and Reconciliation and Unity Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. and Bautista for the GRP.

NDFP Negotiating Panel interim chairperson Julieta de Lima and member Coni Ledesma witnessed for the NDFP.

RNG Special Envoy Kristina Lie Revheim also signed as witness.

Norwegian foreign minister Espen Barth Eide attended the signing ceremony held at the Oslo City Hall. Eide also affimed RNGs continuing commitment to act as Third Party Facilitator to the negotiations.

Screenshot of the NDFP press conference held online.

Working towards talks resumption

In an online press conference today, de Lima said NDFP’s resolve to pursue negotiations with the Marcos Jr. GRP stems from its determination to fulfill the people’s aspirations to address the root causes of the armed conflict.

“It is our goal that the peace negotiations would result in comprehensive agreement on social, economic, political and constitutional reforms and provide the solution to problems which have long burdened the Filipino people,” de Lima said.

De Lima said they would reconstitute NDFP’s negotiating panel and appoint new members before the resumption of formal negotiations.

Former NDFP chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili died due to illness 2020 while panel member Benito Tiamzon was reportedly killed by the military in August 2022. NDFP chief political consultant Sison died due to illness last December.

De Lima said serious concerns must still be discussed, addressed and worked on by the parties, including, the participation of detained NDFP consultants in the peace negotiations; the assurance of safety and immunity for those involved in the peace negotiations; the general, unconditional and omnibus release of all political prisoners; and the abrogation of the unjustified terrorist designation of the NDFP, its panel members, consultants and others who are working for peace. 

She also called on peace supporters to push the parties to pursue the negotiations and find ways to address the roots of the armed conflict in the country.

On the side of the GRP, Galvez led the announcement of the signing of the communiqué in a simultaneous press briefing in Malacanan Palace.

“Both sides have affirmed their sincere desire to achieve national reconciliation and unity under the Marcos administration, agreeing to resolve and further address socioeconomic and political issues towards achieving a peaceful end to the armed conflict and armed struggle of the CPP-NPA-NDFP (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-NDFP),” he said.

The RNG Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced the development in a statement.

“The Philippine government and the country’s communist rebels have agreed to restart peace negotiations after a six-year hiatus, with the aim of ending decades of armed strife,” its statement said.

“I would like to congratulate the government of the Philippines and the communist movement NDFP on their decision to start formal peace negotiations. This is an important and timely step towards securing lasting peace in the Philippines,” Eide added.

In his own remarks, Jalandoni said the NDFP had always been open and willing to negotiate with the GRP if it will be for the interest and benefit of the Filipino people.

He said the NDFP shall ensure the bilateral nature of the negotiations, the reaffirmation of binding agreements and negotiate on a framework of principles that will be mutually acceptable to both parties.

“We shall earnestly pursue the substantive agenda that will provide concrete benefits for the people, keeping in mind always that the roots of the armed conflict must be resolved,” Jalandoni said.

Prior to Duterte’s termination of talks in June 2017, the GRP and the NDFP were close to signing an interim peace agreement (IPA) that also included a stand down agreement; guidelines and procedures towards an IPA and the resumption of talks and its attached timetable, and the NDFP proposed draft of the amnesty proclamation.

Jalandoni added they will work for the removal of “impediments…incompatible with the aims and purposes of peace negotiations in good faith.

NDFP peace negotiator Asterio Palima was also present in the media briefing. He remarked that while Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation 404 granting amnesty to NDFP, Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and other groups, such programs should be the result of negotiated peace based on justice and addressing the roots of the civil war. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)