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2nd Day: Everyone is hoping the barong Tagalogs would be worn today

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NOORDWIJK, The Netherlands— After a day’s delay, Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) negotiators said they agreed to proceed with the opening ceremony of their fourth round of formal talks today.  Already announced before lunch time, the agreement became final at past nine in the evening yesterday. (Three o’clock Tuesday morning, Philippine time.)

“We will wear our barong Tagalog,” GRP Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said of the panels’ opening ceremony plans set at 10 o’clock this morning. (Four o’clock, Philippine time)

Relief among about a hundred peace consultants, advisers and staff as well as journalists covering the event greeted the announcement.  It had been a decade and a half when a formal round was last cancelled after the negotiators have arrived at the venue of the talks.

“Problem-solving”

Both GRP and NDFP negotiators are being positive in describing the delays in the formal opening of the talks.  Dureza said the delay is because of back-channel efforts to iron out issues before formal negotiations. “That way, everything is smoother during the formal talks,” he said.  NDFP chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili is saying the same: the parties are at a “problem-solving” stage.

They are not directly stating it, but GRP President Duterte’s new directives are probably the reasons for the delay.  Just as the opening ceremony was supposed to be held yesterday morning, Duterte in Cagayan de Oro City was rattling off about his four “barest conditionalities,” including a signed bilateral agreement and for the NDFP to stop collecting revolutionary tax, claim territories and for them to release of all their prisoners of war (POWs). These were probably what he called his negotiators about yesterday. In the past, conditionalities by a party beyond what The Hague Joint Declaration stated—addressing the roots of the armed conflict and bringing about a just and lasting peace—had always been rejected by the other.

But in response to Duterte, the NDFP has already assured the GRP of flexibility and willingness in discussing the latter’s bilateral ceasefire proposal.  “Because the GRP negotiating panel is coming to the Netherlands for the fourth round of formal talks, the NDFP negotiating panel is willing to be flexible and is open to discussing with its counterpart what kind of bilateral ceasefire agreement is desired by the GRP in place of the unilateral ceasefire,” NDFP panel Chairperson Fidel Agcaoili said in a statement last March 31.  “The NDFP is one with the GRP in desiring to resolve the serious concerns that have been raised in relation to the previous six-month unilateral ceasefires, mindful that addressing these issues is crucial to ensuring that any ceasefire agreement in the future would be more effective,” he added.  Obviously, the NDFP wanted the ceasefire proposal to be discussed in formal negotiations.

The NDFP has also repeatedly asked the GRP to suspend military and police operations to allow the safe release of more POWs.  The requests are unheeded and the New People’s Army (NPA) has only managed to release two of its POWs so far.  Meanwhile, the AFP seems happy to continue its all-out war against the Communist guerrillas.

While the Armed Forces of the Philippines is raining bombs on the countryside, Duterte said he wants a signed bilateral ceasefire agreement before the fourth round of talks can proceed.  His announcement also came after his National Security Council was convened and his Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana called the NPA as “terrorists,” “thugs” and “extortionists.”  The GRP has also decided not to reinstate its unilateral ceasefire declaration as agreed upon in their March 11 GRP-NDFP Utrecht Joint Statement, forcing the Communist Party of the Philippines to say it too would not longer declare a unilateral ceasefire due to the GRP’s refusal to reciprocate.

The difference in tone of the parties’ statements could not be more obvious.  Such has caused suspensions, cancellations, collapse, abortions and declarations of indefinite recess of formal negotiations in the past.

It would not have been the first time

If the opening ceremony would not push through this morning and the fourth round of formal talks would be cancelled altogether, it would not be the first time it would happen in the history of the 31-year GRP-NDFP peace talks.

On October 14, 1994 in De Bilt, The Netherlands, the GRP rejected the common draft drawn by the “small committees” on the joint agreement on safety and immunity guarantees and unilaterally declared a collapse of the talks.

In Brussels, Belgium on June 27, 1995, the GRP refused to release the late NDFP consultant Sotero Llamas and then President Fidel Ramos suspended the formal talks.

On April 22, 1997 in The Hague, The Netherlands, GRP declared an indefinite recess of the formal talks after NDFP rejected its “two options” proposal to amend The Hague Joint Declaration.

In Oslo, Norway on June 13, 2001, the GRP suspended formal talks in protest over the killing of the notorious Rodolfo Aguinaldo in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

On September 21, 2002, the GRP aborted the scheduled formal talks after the late Defense secretary Angelo Reyes convened a special meeting of the Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security which reversed a Cabinet decision chaired by then President Gloria Arroyo to resume formal talks with the NDFP.

It is notable that it had always been the GRP which cancelled the talks.

Chilly Noordwijk

It had turned chilly and foggy by the time the journalists decided there would be no more stories to be had at past nine o’clock last night and started their walk back to their respective hotels.  This seaside town was asleep and there were hardly locals who were out at that time.  At the Radisson Blu Hotel lobby, some GRP and NDFP negotiators clustered into groups discussing what the second day of the talks would be like.  The Royal Norwegian Government facilitators themselves were in a corner, probably discussing strategies for possible scenarios.

Dawn has broken here, but the sun, hidden behind a gloomy sky, has yet to make its presence felt.  Rains are predicted to fall on this historic city today.  But no announcement of cancellation of the opening ceremony has come during the night and the journalists are anticipating covering yet another formal talks opening ceremony.

Everyone seems to be hoping the barong Tagalogs would be worn this morning. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

LARAWAN: Pag-uusap hinggil sa tigil-putukan

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NOORDWIJK, The Netherlands
April 2, 2017

GRP and NDFP panels continue ceasefire discussions

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NOORDWIJK, The Netherlands–Peace negotiators of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) resumed their panel-to-panel discussions late in the afternoon today to explore ways to address the proposed bilateral ceasefire agreement.

As of 4:30 in the afternoon local time (10:30 in the evening, Philippine time), the panels allowed some members of the Philippine media covering the talks to take photos.

Prof. Jose Ma. Sison was observed to be in a lively mood during the photo-opportunity.

 

LARAWAN: Pag-uusap hinggil sa agenda

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NOORDWIJK, The Netherlands
April 2, 2017

Peace panels start agenda-setting

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NOORDWIJK, The Netherlands–GRP and NDFP peace negotiators have started their first panel-to-panel meeting to set the agenda for the fourth round of formal peace negotiators in this seaside town.

GRP chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III and members Hernani Braganza, Angela Trinidad, Rene Sarmiento and Tony Arellano were seated across the table from NDFP chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili and members Coni Ledesma, Benito Tiamzon and Asterio Palima.

NDFP chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison and senior adviser Luis Jalandoni were also present.

Both panels earlier said the Noordwijk round of talks would focus on socio-economic reforms and the proposed bilateral ceasefire agreement. # (Video by Jola Diones-Mamangun)

 

Panels postpone opening to tomorrow

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NOORDWIJK, The Netherlands–The NDFP and the GRP said the opening ceremony of the fourth round of formal peace negotiations have been postponed to tomorrow, April 3.

NDFP peace negotiator Benito Tiamzon said both panels have decided to hold the opening ceremony tomorrow at 10 o’clock in the morning (five o’clock in the afternoon, Philippine time).

Tiamzon added the panel-to-panel meeting would resume their agenda-setting negotiations at about three o’clock this afternoon.

This is the first time since 2004 the opening ceremony of the formal talks has been postponed by at least a day.

Earlier today, President Rodrigo Duterte called members of the GRP panel to issue new instructions to his negotiators. (Raymund B. Villanueva.  Featured photo by Jola Diones-Mamangun)

GRP and NDFP announce peace talks opening delay

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Chief negotiators Silvestre Bello III and Fidel Agcaoili addressed representatives of migrant groups here in The Netherlands to announce the delay in the opening of the GRP-NDFP formal talks.

GRP’s Bello said their panel received new instructions from President Rodrigo Duterte which they have to discuss with the NDFP.

The migrants, majority of whom are Migrante International members, were invited to witness the opening ceremony.

Duterte call delays peace talks opening

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NOORDWIJK, The Netherlands—Even before it started, the fourth round of formal peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is proving to be “difficult and exacting.”

The GRP and NDFP negotiating panels announced the opening ceremony of their fourth round of formal talks is postponed to “around one or two o’clock in the afternoon” (six o seven o’clock in the evening, Philippine time) to allow discussions on President Rodrigo Duterte’s new instructions to his negotiators.

Speaking before hundreds of Filipino migrants in this country invited to attend the opening event originally scheduled this morning, GRP chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III (GRP) said they received a call from Duterte which they would first discuss with the NDFP panel.

“We apologize for the delay,” Bello told the disappointed migrants.

NDFP chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili nonetheless invited the migrants to stay and wait for the opening ceremony.

“I know many of you took a long bus ride to attend the opening ceremony, but these things happen (during negotiations),” Agcaoili said.

Both the GRP and the NDFP refused to divulge the nature of Duterte’s call and its implications on the holding of this round of talks.

The panels initially agreed during their March 10 to 11 informal talks in Utrecht to focus on the socio-economic reforms and bilateral ceasefire agenda for this round of talks.

But Duterte said last March 25 he has to consult his security advisers on his government’s response to the Communist Party of the Philippines’ announcement to reinstate its unilateral ceasefire declaration in accordance with the GRP-NDFP Utrecht Joint Statement of March 11.

“I have to consult the Speaker. I have to consult the Senate President. I have to convene the National Security Council. And I have to ask the generals of the army and the police kung ano ba,” Duterte said.

After the National Security Council meeting last Friday, Bello announced the GRP has decided not to declare a unilateral ceasefire.

It has happened before

Delays in opening and closing ceremonies of formal talks have happened in the 2011 formal peace talks and in the first three rounds of negotiations with the Duterte government.

The 2011 formal peace talks, the only one under the previous Benigno Aquino government, was very nearly scrapped after long-time NDFP peace consultant Allan Jazmines was abducted by the AFP a few hours before the scheduled opening. # (Report by Raymund B. Villanueva. Featured photo by Jola Diones-Mamangun)

 

Joma, NDFP celebrate NPA anniversary in Amsterdam

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AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands–Prof. Jose Ma. Sison and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines International Office celebrated the 48th founding anniversary of the New People’s Army in this city last Friday with a program and film showing.

Featuring speeches and recent videos of NPA military parades, the event was Sison’s first public appearance after being discharged from the hospital due to pulmonary health problems.

Appearing rested and ready to participate the fourth round of formal peace negotiations with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, Joma talked about the film “A Guerilla is Like a Poet” which narrated how he and a handful of comrades founded the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army nearly five decades ago.

Here are some of the photos of the event attended by hundreds of Filipinos in The Netherlands and select NDFP delegates to the formal peace talks scheduled to begin today in Noordwick. (Photos by Jola Mamangun)

Talks opening to be delayed by a few hours

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NOORDWIJK, The Netherlands—The opening ceremony of the fourth round of formal negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) will be delayed by at least several hours.

In a chance interview, NDFP Negotiating Panel chairperson Fidel Agcaoili said the parties have yet to agree on the agenda as they are still waiting for the arrival of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza from London.

Dureza attended an international forum on the Colombian peace process yesterday.

GRP Negotiating Panel member Hernani Braganza said Dureza has arrived at this seaside town late last night.

Representatives of both panels are scheduled to meet at eight o’clock this morning (two o’clock in the afternoon, Philippine time) to set the agenda for this round of talks.

The Noordwijk talks are expected to focus on the continuation of socio-economic reforms and the proposed bilateral ceasefire agreement.

GRP Negotiating Panel chairperson Silvestre Bello III earlier announced President Rodrigo Duterte has instructed them to forge a ceasefire agreement by the end of the round.

“Our President is more interested in obtaining a bilateral ceasefire agreement,” Bello said in a Palace press briefing last Friday.

“Talking while fighting”

For the first time under the Duterte government, the GRP-NDFP formal talks would be held without a ceasefire in place.

In a statement, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) confirmed it did not push through with its plan to reinstate its unilateral ceasefire declaration after the GRP “refused to reciprocate.”

“The CPP did not proceed to issue a declaration of interim ceasefire yesterday, after the GRP announced that it will not issue a similar ceasefire declaration,” it said.

“The issuance of ceasefire declarations was supposed to be done reciprocally as agreed upon by the NDFP and GRP in their March 11 Joint Statement,” the CPP added.

The CPP said it can only be surmised Duterte heeded the advice of his national security and military officials against issuing a reciprocal ceasefire declaration after announcing he first needed to consult them.

Despite Duterte’s decision to resume formal peace negotiations with the NDFP, however, GRP Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana yesterday branded the New People’s Army as “thugs,” “terrorists” and “extortionists” anew.

“We stand by the President’s decision to resume the peace process but we likewise should call on the communists to show their commitment both in words and in deeds,” Lorenzana in a statement said.

Lorenzana complained about the recent clashes between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the NPA.

Intensified AFP attacks against civilians

The CPP however said it is the AFP which is carrying out intensified “fascist crimes against civilians.”

In a statement, the CPP reported the forced evacuation of 36 families (187 individuals) to Cagayan de Oro after 100 soldiers of the 58th IB encamped in the Lumad community of Sitio Camansi, Barangay Banglay, Lagonglong town, Misamis Oriental last March 29.

On March 30, elements of the 9th ID strafed several people who were at a waiting shed in Sitio Traktora, Bagong Silang, Sipocot, Camarines Sur, killing Renel Mirabeles and severely injuring Joseph Sagario and Regie Loprandado.  The GRP soldiers also accosted Erick Madrona, accusing him of being an NPA fighter.  The AFP tried to cover up its attacks on the civilians as an encounter with the NPA, the CPP said.

Also on March 30, elements of the 203rd Infantry Brigade aerial-bombed sitios Karumata and Kalungbuyan, in Barangay Benli, Bulalacao town, Oriental Mindoro and terrorizing Hanunuo Mangyan communities in the area, the CPP added.

On the same day, soldiers of the 28th and 66th IB killed Jeffry Santos, a peasant resident of Tagbinonga, Mati City, Davao Oriental.  Santos was on his way to the town center to sell copra when he was waylaid by AFP soldiers claiming he was an NPA member.  Santos’ family denies the AFP’s accusation, the CPP reported.

The CPP said it is duty-bound to defend civilians even while it looks forward to fruitful NDFP-GRP negotiations towards forging an agreement on socio-economic reforms as well as political and constitutional reforms.

“The CPP anticipates that the question of free land distribution to the tillers, the most pressing social justice issue in the country, will be fully addressed in the talks,” it said.

“The CPP also anticipates intense discussions and debates on the people’s demand for national industrialization, as well as expansion of public services, versus the insistence of the GRP to pursue the neoliberal policies of liberalization, privatization and deregulation,” it added. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)