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Ulat sa pagbubukas ng ikatlong round ng GRP-NDFP peace talks

Nagbukas ang ikatlong round ng pormal na usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines at Government of the Republic of the Philippines ngayong umaga dito sa Roma at kahapon ng alas-singko naman sa Pilipinas.

Sa kabila ng maraming problemang sumulpot nitong mga nakaraang buwan, nagpahiwatig ng pag-asa ang kapwa panig na mapagkakasunduan ang mga mahahalagang usapin tulad ng Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms, political and economic reforms. Read more

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

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

Dureza: Norway is the international champion for peace

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza lauded the Royal Norwegian Government as the international champion for peace.

In his remarks at the opening ceremony of the third round of formal peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP, Dureza again thanked the RNG for facilitating the peace process.

Dureza later gave way to Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay who admitted delight in finally meeting NDFP Chief Political Consultant Jose Maria Sison.

Yasay was invited to address the opening ceremony in acknowledgement of his department’s efforts in facilitating the travel documents of the peace talks participants. Read more

Peace process needs patient support and involvement of the Filipino people–Slattum

Royal Norwegian Government Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process Elisabeth Slattum encouraged the Filipino people’s support and involvement to the peace process.

In her remarks at the opening ceremony of the third round of talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Rome, Italy yesterday, the Third Party Facilitator also asked both parties to have courage to both come out as winners in the negotiations.

Watch and listen to Slattum’s speech. Read more

Focus on the substantive issues, activists tell Duterte

by Abril Layad B. Ayroso

MANILA, Philippines–President Rodrigo Duterte should realize that peace talks between his government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) are more than just about ceasefires, activists at a rally said.  last January 18, eve.

On the eve of the opening of the third round of peace talks in Rome, Italy, activists marched to Mendiola to demand the release of political prisoners whom Duterte described as his “trump cards.”

“Instead of confronting more substantive issues in the peace process such as social and economic reforms, the government dwelled on the issue of political prisoners and kept them hostage to secure a bilateral ceasefire agreement,” College Editors Guild of the Philippines national secretary-general Ronilo Mesa said.

“Duterte’s negotiating panel should be reminded that prolonging the release of the political detainees is a wilful violation of previously-signed agreements,” Mesa added, citing the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).

Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes added that several high-ranking military officials and advisors had reportedly travelled to Rome for the peace talks to press for a bilateral ceasefire as soon as possible.

“There is a mindset among the government that the peace talks are only good for achieving a ceasefire, even though the roots of the armed conflict have not yet been addressed,” Reyes said.

“Duterte should not just focus on the cessation of hostilities. He must be open to the legitimate concerns of the people,” League of Filipino Students national spokesperson JP Rosos added.

Socio-economic reforms

Former Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño said that the government must focus on socio-economic reforms, instead of just dwelling on a bilateral ceasefire agreement.

“Land reform, employment, economy, environment, culture, even free internet – these are all part of the socio-economic reforms to be discussed during the second round,” Casino said.

Casino added that addressing these issues would eventually lead to a cessation of hostilities as these are some of the causes of armed conflict.

“These reforms to be discussed in the peace talks are closer to the heart and stomach of the Filipino people. How could we possibly ignore these reforms to rush the ceasefire?” Casino said.

Violence and harassment

The rallyists also condemned the continuing militarization in rural areas, despite the interim unilateral ceasefires held by both the government and the NDFP.

“During the self-imposed ceasefire, troops under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remain in communities and are reported to be continuously intimidating, harassing and threatening residents,” Karapatan deputy secretary-general Roneo Clamor said.

The progressives also spoke against the Duterte administration’s new counterinsurgency program, Oplan Kapayapaan, which they say allows state forces to continue their military operations against activists.

“The Duterte government must end Oplan Kapayapaan to recognize the legitimate struggle of the Filipino people and to uphold its unilateral ceasefire declaration,” Mesa said.

Optimism

Despite this, the progressives continue to hope something positive comes out of the talks.

“We remain optimistic. Yet we will not stop demanding to the Duterte to release all political prisoners, not only to urge him to fulfill his promise, but to remind him that it is right and just, and is a significant move towards achieving a just and lasting peace,” Hustisya deputy secretary-general Gloria Almonte said in a statement.

“This third round of the peace talks is important, not only because it takes on socio-economic reforms, but also because it is when we find out whether the Duterte government is serious about keeping its promises and if our cooperation with them is to continue,” Reyes added.

“The government’s continued violations of human rights can and will affect even the unilateral ceasefires – but that is no reason to stop the peace talks, as they are about more than just the end of hostilities. We must not be swayed by Duterte’s threats,” Reyes said. #

 

Norway to stand by Filipinos in the peace process–Ambassador

Royal Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Forner delivered the first remarks at the opening ceremonies of the third round of formal peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Forner said his government is committed to facilitating the peace process between both parties.

He also said that the Philippine and Norways is celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relationship this year. Read more

The peace peasants want

Farmers have the biggest stake in the success or failure of the GRP-NDFP negotiations on socio-economic reforms.

Watch and listen to Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas’ Antonio Flores as he explains the Filipino peasantry’s stake. (Divine C. Miranda) Read more

People’s orgs press for release of political prisoners via general amnesty

Members of peasant organizations, rights advocates and Church-based organizations today held a rally at Mendiola to call on the Duterte government to immediately release the 392 political prisoners through general amnesty. The rally came a day before the resumption of the 3rd round of formal talks between the GPH and NDFP. Read more

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