Posts

Joma Sison: GRP and NDFP can negotiate in a non-adversarial way

/in /by

NDFP Chief Political Consultant Jose Maria Sison said both parties in the peace talks can negotiate in a non-adversarial way and overcome any obstabcle by addressing the roots of the armed conflict.

Sison added that the talks may proceed in a smooth manner as long it seeks to satisfy the demands of the people for basic social, economic and political reforms in order to lay the foundation of a just and lasting peace and build a Philippines that is truly independent, democratic, just, prosperous and progressive.

Watch and listen to Prof. Sison’s speech at the opening ceremony of the third round of GRP and NDFP peace talks in Rome, Italy. Read more

NDFP, Duterte ceasefires to hold over holidays

/in /by

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)

Sison: CPP ready to terminate ceasefire if political detainees are not released by January

/in /by

Kodao’s Raymund Villanueva interviews National Democratic Front of the Philippines chief political consultant Prof. Jose Maria Sison on President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to release all political prisoners, ceasefire, peace talks, new AFP chief of staff Eduardo Año, and extra-judicial killings connected to the so-called drug war.  

Kodao: In a recent interview, you said the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) may work for a bilateral ceasefire as long as the GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) President Rodrigo Duterte makes good on his promise to release all 434 political prisoners within 48 hours after delivery to him of a signed copy by GRP panel chair Silvestre Bello III and GRP panel member Angela Librado-Trinidad.  What is your explanation for advising the revolutionary movement may accept Duterte’s challenge?

Prof. Jose Ma. Sison (JMS): I made the advice after reading a news announcement that President Duterte would release all the political prisoners within 48 hours after the GRP and NDFP panels sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement. I asked NDFP chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili to contact immediately his counterpart GRP chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III whether the report is true and whether the GRP panel is willing to meet the NDFP panel within the second half of December regarding the bilateral ceasefire agreement.

Kodao: What should the NDFP and the revolutionary movement do with the signed bilateral ceasefire if the GRP president fails to deliver on his promise?

JMS: The signing of the bilateral ceasefire agreement by the GRP and NDFP panels can come ahead of the amnesty and release of all political prisoners by President Duterte but said agreement becomes valid and effective only upon the actual release of said political prisoners and upon the approval of the agreement by the GRP and NDFP principals.  No chance for the GRP to get the bilateral ceasefire agreement and then renege on the commitment to amnesty and release all political prisoners.

Kodao: How can Duterte affect such when his peace adviser (Sec. Jesus Dureza) and the GRP panel have been saying the notoriously slow judicial processes must be followed?

JMS: Indeed, the OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) is known to block the amnesty and release of the political prisoners and is supposed to have advised Duterte accordingly. The GRP side has the power to prolong the imprisonment of the political prisoners and make them suffer needlessly an injustice in violation of the CARHRIHL and the Hernandez political offense doctrine.

But the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines is ready to terminate the August 28, 2016 unilateral declaration of interim ceasefire in case no amnesty and release of all political prisoners would occur in December or January.  We shall be back to a situation of negotiating while fighting, unless the GRP terminates the peace negotiations completely.

Kodao: How long would such a bilateral ceasefire take effect?

JMS: If the bilateral ceasefire agreement shall be forged, it shall be valid and effective indefinitely between the armed forces and units of the GRP and NDFP.

Kodao: What are the conditions that would compel the NDFP to end such a bilateral ceasefire?

JMS: The NDFP can end such a bilateral ceasefire agreement if the GRP grossly and systematically violates it, loses interest in the negotiations of the substantive agenda and is interested merely in using the bilateral ceasefire as an instrument of capitulation and pacification at the expense of the people and the revolutionary forces.

Kodao: Some regional commands of the NPA and the CPP are thinking of terminating their existing unilateral ceasefire declaration because of several documented cases of violations of the GRP’s unilateral ceasefire declaration by its own armed forces.  What would happen to such sentiments and the people’s complaints of ceasefire violations if the NDFP would sign a bilateral ceasefire with the GRP at this point?

JMS: The NDFP should not sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement that does not address the violations made by the AFP, PNP, paramilitary forces and death squads during the period of reciprocal unilateral ceasefires.  Provisions must be made for pre-empting and preventing the recurrence of such violations. The military and police should be restricted to barracks and should not usurp civilian functions. They should not be able to use any pretext to commit atrocities against the people within the territory of the people’s democratic government.

Kodao: President Duterte met with NDFP panel chair Fidel Agcaoili, NDFP panel member Benito Tiamzon and consultants just last weekend, which reportedly went well.  Then a day before Duterte appointed Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año as new AFP chief of staff, he issued his ultimatum.  What do you think would happen to a bilateral ceasefire when Duterte’s new chief of staff is an alleged human rights violator and a “rebel hunter?”

JMS:  In his candid moments, President Duterte himself admits that the GRP is reactionary and rotten, serving US imperialism and controlled by oligarchs, with civilian, military and police officals involved in corruption and criminality, including illegal drugs. To make a good bilateral ceasefire agreement and continue the peace negotiations with the NDFP, Duterte must assume the responsibility of fixing the criminals and self-contradictions in the GRP. He must know how to control his new AFP chief of staff or replace him if he can.  Otherwise, a just and lasting peace will become impossible. And the armed revolution will continue.

Kodao: There has been more than five thousand killed under Duterte’s so-called war on drugs in his five months in office.  How should the NDFP raise this issue under CARHRIHL during the formal peace talks? Is it still beneficial for the revolutionary movement to engage in formal talks with the Duterte government under which all these killings are happening?

JMS: The extrajudicial killing of 5,800 suspects of being drug pushers is a valid issue that can be discussed under the CARHRIHL, especially because there are already many complaints that the military, police and paramilitaries of the GRP are using Oplan Tokhang for the purpose of smearing and murdering revolutionaries.

The CPP, NPA and NDFP have already pointed out that the anti-drug campaign might be like Plan Columbia under which tens of thousands of paramilitaries were organised not really to fight the drug traders but the revolutionary forces.

Kodao: It is being announced that the next round (third) of formal talks would be on January 18-24 in Rome, Italy.  What would be on the agenda and how is the NDFP preparing for this?

JMS:  The GRP and NDFP Panels will take up the condition of the political prisoners and the unfulfilled promises to release them.  There is yet no basis to say that the matter of bilateral ceasefire agreement will be taken up before or during the third round of peace talks. I expect that the negotiations of the CASER (Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms) by the RWCs (Reciprocal Working Committees) concerned will make some significant advance to show that the peace process is really moving ahead. CASER is the meat of the entire peace negotiations. It offers the prospects of national industrialization, genuine land reform, improved incomes and means of livelihood and expansion of social services.

Kodao: Why should the Filipino people support the continuation of the peace process?

JMS: The Filipino people support the continuation of the peace negotiations because they wish substantial social, economic and political reforms to be achieved across the negotiating table. However, if they are frustrated in this regard, they will also be able to see more clearly the justness and necessity of the people’s democratic revolution through people’s war. After all, the crisis of global capitalism and the domestic ruling system continues to worsen and cry out for revolution.

(Interview and Sison photo by Raymund B. Villanueva/Duterte photo by Davao Today)

Joma Sison receives first ever Gawad Supremo

/in /by

Prof. Jose Ma. Sison, International League of Peoples’ Struggles chairperson, received the first ever Gawad Supremo in a special ceremony in Oslo, Norway;s Saga Kino last October 10.

Gawad Supremo is Bagong Alyansang Makabayan’s award to those who live the aspirations of Philippine national hero Andres Bonifacio for national liberation and social justice. Read more

Joma explains why the peace talks are always important

/in /by

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

BAYAN confers 1st Gawad Supremo to Sison and Duterte

/in /by

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) confers the first event Gawad Supremo to International League of Peoples’ Struggles chairperson Jose Maria Sison and President Rodrigo Duterte.

The award was given on the eve of National Heroes Day to the recipients for their contributions to the resolution of social injustices that national hero Andres Bonifacio fought against, Bayan said.

Read more

‘Historic’ peace talks end successfully with 6 agreements; panels agree to meet again in October

/in /by

OSLO, Norway—The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) signed six major agreements at the end of their five-day “friendly and cordial” formal peace talks.

The negotiations ended as it began–with laughter and banter that reflected “historic and unprecedented” achievements:

  1. Reaffirmation of previously-signed agreements;
  2. Reconstitution of NDFP’s list of Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG)-protected personnel;
  3. Acceleration of the peace negotiations with a set timeline for the three remaining substantive agenda—socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, and cessation of hostilities and disposition of forces;
  4. Release of political prisoners in pursuit of peace and in due consideration of the JASIG;
  5. The GRP will recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte the issuance of an amnesty proclamation of NDFP-listed political prisoners, including those convicted for their political beliefs, subject to concurrence of Congress; and
  6. The Communist Party of the Philippines will declare a new indefinite unilateral ceasefire by the New People’s Army and the People’s Militias effective August 28 in response to Duterte’s indefinite and unilateral ceasefire which took effective August 21.

The GRP and NDFP panels also agreed to meet again for the second round of formal talks on October 8-12 in Oslo, Norway.

Both panels said their new agreements reversed the frustrations of the past 15 years and put the peace process back on track.

Duterte’s direct hand

Both panels credited Duterte’s “brave and unique” approach to peace-building for the success of the first round of talks.

“We cannot achieve this successful and very significant step forward in the peace negotiations without the strong commitment of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and the spirit of goodwill and friendliness of our counterparts,” said Luis Jalandoni, Chair of the NDFP Negotiating Panel, in his closing statement.

“Not only has President Duterte walked the extra mile. He has also taken a step back to give the NDF space under his democratic and inclusive government,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza for his part said.

NDFP panel member said Coni Ledesma said that the talks reflected the Duterte government’s determination to seek peace through negotiations with CPP, NPA and the NDFP.

“It is like black to white. Malaki ang kaibahan ng Duterte administration sa mga nakaraang rehimen,” Ledesma said.

What went before

Previous GRP panels under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Aquino governments failed in reaching as many agreements with the NDFP in their formal talks in 2004 and 2011, respectively.

While the Duterte government’s peace panel agreed with the NDFP to reaffirm all 10 major agreements forged under the Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada governments, the Arroyo and Aquino governments sought to dismiss them.

Teresita Deles, peace adviser to both the Arroyo and Aquino, was reported to have said that The Hague Joint Declaration is “a document of perpetual division” while immediate past GRP panel head Alexander Padilla wanted a new track separate from the declaration.

Deles has also reportedly petitioned the Royal Norwegian Government, third party facilitator to the peace negotiations, to stop funding the GRP-NDFP Joint Secretariat of the JMC-CARHRIHL.

Vital participation of consultants and advisers

At this morning’s closing ceremony, both panels acknowledged each other’s consultants and advisers who directly participated in the formal talks.

Sixteen NDFP consultants recently released from various prisons across the Philippines were able to join the negotiations.

Also released but failed to join the talks were Loida Magpatoc and couple Alex and Winona Birondo.  The Birondos have yet to secure their passports from the Department of Foreign Affairs while Magpatoc is still on her way to Europe from Manila.

Not released in time for the first round of talks were political detainees Renato Baleros Sr. and Edgardo Friginal.

The NDFP are also asking for the immediate release of convicted consultants Emeterio Antalan, Leopoldo Caloza and Eduardo Sarmiento from The National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa City.

The GRP for its part presented Tarlac congressman Victor Yap as its panel adviser for the House of Representatives while Quezon City and Angeles City mayors Herbert Bautista and Edgardo Pamintuan, respectively, were presented as peace advisers for local government units.

Historical

GRP negotiating panel chair Silvestre Bello III thanked the NDFP for its patience and candidness and said he is looking forward to forging a final peace agreement with their counterparts.

NDFP chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison added that the closing of the first round of talks is historical.

 “Maluwag ang pagtanggap ng parehong panig sa paninindigan ng bawat isa. Parehong  naghanap ng mapagkaka-isahan,” Sison said.

As the closing ceremony concluded, both panels, their consultants-advisers and respective staff sang the ‘Happy Birthday’ song for newly-released NDFP Consultant for Panay Concha Araneta-Bocala who is celebrating her 66th birthday today. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

 

Joma Sison meets the Tiamzons in Oslo

/in /by

Prof. Jose Maria Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), meets Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Austria here in Oslo, Norway at the eve of the resumption of formal talks between the GRP and the NDFP. Tiamzon and Austria are alleged by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be the current chairperson and secretary general of the CPP, respectively.

Sison: NDFP has been patient and working hard for peace

/in /by

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

GRP to ask NDFP for peace talks postponement

/in /by

THE GOVERNMENT peace panel has decided to postpone the resumption of its formal peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) anew to August 20 to 27.

Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) chief peace negotiator and Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III told Kodao Productions this morning that they will first have to secure the release of NDFP negotiators who are still detained.

Bello said that they still have to formally inform the NDFP of the adjustment.

Both panels originally scheduled the talks on the third week of this month but later entertained the possibility of rescheduling the formal negotiations on the last week of July or second week of August for the GRP to effect the release of more than 20 Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG)-protected NDFP consultants and staff.

The GRP through its peace panel member Hernani Braganza also said that they want the formal talks to be held after President Rodrigo Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address on July 25.

The NDFP through its chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison earlier said they are willing to give the GRP time to release NDFP consultants Allan Jazmines, Benito Tiamzon, Wilma Austria and others JASIG-protected consultants.

Asked earlier about the possibility of another postponement, Sison told Kodao that it is better to ask the GRP on the final dates. (Raymund B. Villanueva)