Posts

PHOTOS: Day 2 of GRP-NDFP talks begins

/in /by

OSLO, Norway–The negotiating panels of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines have started the second day of their peace talks at the Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel.

They allowed members of the media to take photos and videos before their closed-door negotiations.  Here are some photos:

A light moment before the start of the actual negotiations.

A light moment before the start of the actual negotiations.

NDFP consultants (from left, front row) Alan Jazmines, Satur Ocampo, Benito Tiamzon, Wilma Austria; (from left, middle row) Randall Echanis and Adelberto Silva; (from left, third row) Philippine Peace Center's Rey Casambre and (partially hidden) Tirso Alcantara. Jazmines, Tiamzon, Austria, Silva and Alcantara were among the newly-released NDFP consultants who were released to enable their participation in the talks.

NDFP consultants (from left, front row) Alan Jazmines, Satur Ocampo, Benito Tiamzon, Wilma Austria; (from left, middle row) Randall Echanis and Adelberto Silva; (left, third row) Vicente Ladlad, an unidentified participant and Philippine Peace Center’s Rey Claro Casambre (right). Jazmines, Tiamzon, Austria, and Silva were among the newly-released NDFP consultants who were recently released to enable their participation in the talks.

 

 

(AUDIO) Speeches at the GRP-NDFP peace talks opening ceremony

/in /by

OSLO, Norway–Listen to the speeches of the Royal Norwegian Government officials, Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison, GRP negotiating panel chairperson Silvestre Bello III and NDFP negotiating panel chairperson Luis Jalandoni.

While the speeches were repeatedly interrupted by laughter and banter, they nevertheless outline the parties’ respective positions and aims in resuming formal peace talks.

Norwegian Special Peace Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process Elizabeth Slattum and Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende

11

GRP Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza

12

NDFP chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison

8

GRP Negotiating Panel chairperson Silvestre Bello III

7

NDFP Negotiating Panel chairperson Luis Jalandoni

9

Listen to opening speeches of the opening ceremony of the last formal GPH-NDFP peace talks in February 18, 2011 for comparison here.

 

 

 

It is far from freezing cold in Oslo

/in /by

OSLO—It had been more than five years since the last formal peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP, the original name used for the peace talks) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in this Norwegian capital.  It was the dead of winter in February 2011, the weather as cold as the relations between the then Gloria Macapagal Arroyo government and its negotiating team led by presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles and the revolutionary umbrella group chiefly represented by former Roman Catholic priest Luis Jalandoni.

Both peace panels tried to be friendly then, but it was an impossible mission of sorts. Read more

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.

NDFP’s Jazmines thanks Duterte for opening up on peace

/in /by

After his release from his five-year detention, National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Alan Jazmines thanked President Rodrigo Duterte on his decision to resume formal peace negotiations with the revolutionary group. Read more

Benito and Wilma Tiamzon walk free from detention

/in /by

Benito Tiamzon and Wilma-Austria-Tiamzon thanked the Filipino people and the New People’s Army after their release this afternoon from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame.

They also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for ordering their release to enable their participation as National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultants in its formal peace talks in Oslo, Norway on Monday. Read more

13 consultants free; 6 others remain in detention as talks fast approaches

/in /by

THIRTEEN National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultants have been released while six others are still in detention as the resumption of the formal peace talks fast approaches.

Since August 15, Ma. Concepcion Araneta-Bocala; Ariel Arbitrario; Renante Gamara; Alan Jazmines; Alfredo Mapano; Tirso Alcantara; Kennedy Bangibang; Eddie Genelsa; Ruben Saluta; and Adelberto Silva have been released on bail by trial courts throughout the country where they faced criminal charges. Read more

NDFP consultants eager to participate in talks

/in /by

NINE National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultants who have been freed since Monday are eager to participate in the formal negotiations with the Duterte government on Monday.

In an impromptu press conference in Quezon City last night, the nine said their liberty, albeit temporary, is proof that both parties are sincere in resuming the talks. Read more

BREAKING NEWS: More NDFP consultants walk free

/in /by

National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultants Alan Jazmines, Tirso “Ka Bart” Alcantara, Renante Gamara and Ernesto Lorenzo were released on bail this afternoon at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Simultaneously, Alfredo Mapano, another NDFP consultant, was released on bail this afternoon from the Misamis Oriental provincial jail. Read more

STREETWISE: Dark clouds over GPH-NDFP peace talks

/in , /by
By Carol P. Araullo
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s dramatic declaration of a unilateral ceasefire vis a vis the CPP-NPA-NDFP to usher in the peace talks slated to resume on August 20 was, for all intents and purposes, one of the high points of his one-and-a-half-hour-long State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 25.  He said it was to be effective immediately.
The President’s announcement was generally met with applause, enthusiasm and great expectations. The public awaited a similar declaration from the CPP-NPA-NDFP leadership in reciprocation of Mr. Duterte’s bold and grand gesture.

Read more