And so it has come to this. After stoking such high expectations about the resumption of peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and what the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) considers the top “security threat” in the country today — the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP) — President Rodrigo Duterte now scoffs at the strength and significance of these revolutionary forces. He also calls their acknowledged leader, Jose Maria Sison, who he had earlier respectfully referred to as his political mentor, “arrogant” for rapping him about giving ultimatums to the revolutionary movement.
During non-stop visits to military camps all over the country, Mr. Duterte in effect tells his audience of military officials and soldiers, in his signature kanto boy style, that he thinks he is doing the CPP-NPA-NDFP a big favor by engaging them in peace negotiations.
Why, he even declared a unilateral ceasefire effective immediately at his SONA, no less.
But the CPP-NPA-NDFP did not reciprocate with its own unilateral ceasefire declaration after he gave a deadline of 5pm last July 30. (The CPP announced it would make a declaration at 8pm).
So Mr. Duterte lifts the GRP’s unilateral ceasefire at 7pm and he tells the military and the police that they can go back to what they have been trying to do for more than four decades; that is, defeat the NPA militarily and decimate the CPP and NDFP cadre corps through a “legal offensive” utilizing fabricated criminal cases. (Not surprisingly, he sounds much less belligerent and derisive of the CPP-NPA-NDFP, if at all, when addressing a non-military audience, such as the PCCRV.)
But wait a minute. Mr. Duterte’s peace adviser Jesus Dureza says the August 20 talks are still on track. So does Mr. Luis Jalandoni, NDFP chief peace negotiator. What is going on here?
As it turns out, a unilateral ceasefire declaration, whether by the GRP or the CPP-NPA-NDFP, was never a precondition to the resumption of the peace talks in Oslo, Norway. As a matter of fact, the consensus reached by the two sides last June 15 (contained in their Oslo Joint Statement) was that the “mode of interim ceasefire” would be discussed when the formal talks resumed in July alongside “an amnesty declaration for the release of all detained political prisoners, subject to the concurrence of Congress”.
Mr. Duterte’s dramatic declaration of a unilateral ceasefire at his July 25 SONA was his big-bang gesture that unfortunately ended in a whimper.
When Duterte’s people failed to communicate to the NDFP the full text of the AFP SOMO (Suspension of Offensive Military Operations) and the PNP SOPO (Suspension of Offensive Police Operations) in a timely manner; military maneuvers and occupation of rural civilian communities continued unabated; an armed clash took place resulting in the death of a member of a notorious paramilitary group — all these contributed to a delay in the CPP-NPA-NDFP’s reciprocal declaration of a unilateral ceasefire.
In the end, Mr. Duterte’s precipitate ceasefire declaration was undermined by his own people as well as his precipitate decision to recall it — two hours after his arbitrary deadline and one hour before the anticipated CPP-NPA-NDFP announcement of its ceasefire.
In the meantime, there have been no releases of the more than 500 political prisoners nationwide and counting. As in zero. Zilch. This, after Mr. Duterte’s ever-so-generous offer to grant a general amnesty in meetings with the NDFP official representative, even before his inauguration. “I know most if not all of them (political prisoners) are being held on trumped-up charges” he reportedly said, priding himself to know, after having been a prosecutor for many years, the quality of justice meted out in Philippine courts.
Twenty two NDFP peace consultants remain behind bars, three of them convicted, on the basis of trumped-up criminal cases. There are more than eighty political prisoners who are sick, elderly, husband-and-wife detainees, or for other humanitarian considerations, deserve to be released immediately.
Like all political prisoners, they are victims of political persecution and an ongoing miscarriage of justice as part of the government’s insidious scheme to deal with political dissenters by illegally arresting them, placing them in indefinite detention until they can be convicted of spurious criminal charges and then made to rot in prison for the rest of their productive lives.
By the way, the easiest way to do this is to plant a piece of grenade in their belongings upon arrest for that makes their case non-bailable. (The grenade is recyclable for the next unsuspecting victim.) No use charging them with the more appropriate political crime of simple rebellion since that is more difficult to prove and is, in fact, bailable.
It goes without saying that they are vilified as “communist terrorists”, murderers, arsonists, robbers, kidnappers and what have you all the better to deny them any kind of public sympathy. (Notably, they do not pin the favorite and most reviled kind of crime of late, illegal drug trafficking, against these activists and revolutionaries because that would indeed be laughable.)
Not that political dissenters are no longer the object or targets of extrajudicial killing by the state’s security forces. It’s just that dealing with the so many “enemies of the state” via this most brutal of means as in the time of President Gloria Arroyo, raised a howl of protest from the local and international human rights community. Too costly politically so the government came up with this “legal offensive” scheme.
The Arroyo regime put up the Inter-agency Legal Action Group (IALAG) tasked to investigate, prosecute, monitor and handle litigation processes of cases involving national security. It ended up as the government agency responsible for fabricating criminal lawsuits against the alleged top leadership of the CPP-NPA-NDFP and even political activists that the government suspects are members or supporters of the revolutionary movement. The IALAG has officially been abolished but its function has been institutionalized in the state’s police, prosecutorial as well as judicial system.
Taken in this light, the call for the release of all political prisoners is valid in its own right.
As a means to forging ahead with the peace negotiations and ultimately achieving a just and lasting peace, their release gains even more urgency and is deserving of the broadest public support. #
Published in Business World
8 August 2016
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.png00Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2016-08-10 07:12:362018-03-07 20:44:28STREETWISE: Why peace talks hang in the balance
THE National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) said its guerillas can still use command-detonated landmines as there is no valid ceasefire between the New People’s Army (NPA) and Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) soldiers and police forces.
In a statement following President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest threat of withdrawing from the peace talks yesterday, the NDFP said it is in fact necessary to resume the formal peace talks on August 20 in Oslo, Norway where the mode of ceasefire can be discussed.
Duterte said the NPA’s use of landmines against the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police must be discussed in the talks or he would order the GRP peace panel to withdraw from the negotiating table.
“I am saying now: Stop the landmines or you tell the leaders at itong gubyerno ko, get out from the talks. Alam mo bakit? I am now invoking the Geneva Conventions. It is part of the international law not only of the Philippines but around the world,” Duterte said.
The NDFP disagrees with Duterte, however, saying the NPA is not violating rules of war with its use of command-detonated landmines in its guerilla war against government soldiers.
“We wish to point out that the use of command-detonated land mines is not violative of the Geneva Convention and the Ottawa Treaty,” NDFP’s statement said.
NDFP peace panel legal adviser Edre Olalia said the Geneva Convention only prohibits targeting civilians and civilian populations and not military or police targets.
He added that the Ottawa Treaty of 1997 does not prohibit command-detonated anti-personnel mines, as well as both target-detonated and command-detonated anti-tank or anti-vehicle mines.
The Ottawa Treaty of 1997, or the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, which took effect in 1999.
“The use of land mines and IEDs (improvised explosive devices) – particularly and most especially those that are command-detonated anti-personnel and anti-vehicle types or contact-detonated anti-vehicle types—are legitimate tools of warfare considering that they only target legitimate military objects of attack and precludes any inchoate, potential, impending, actual or even future harm or injury to the civilians and the civilian population,” Olalia said.
The NDFP urged Duterte to release its detained consultants and issued travel documents before August 20 to allow both its and GRP’s negotiating panels to discuss the mode of ceasefire and how best to arrange it.
“It would be better than not to resume formal peace talks,” NDFP said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ndfp.jpg326480Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2016-08-08 07:39:412016-08-08 07:39:41PEACE TALKS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS MODE OF CEASEFIRE--NDFP
QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan will join the government negotiating team at the resumption of formal peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) on August 20 in Oslo, Norway.
GRP chief negotiator and labor secretary Silvestre Bello III said both veteran executives have been appointed as peace advisers for local government units.
Bautista told Kodao he is yet to be formally notified of his appointment, but said it is his duty as a Filipino to work for peace.
“Nawa’y matamo na natin ang kapayapaan na matagal nang inaasam ng ating bansa,” Bautista said.
Bello said that a retired general will be the GRP peace adviser for the military, but has still to inform Kodao of his full name.
The GRP chief negotiator said they are considering Tarlac Representative Victor Yap as peace adviser for the House of Representatives.
“Rep. Yap is the son of the late veteran peace negotiator and former Representative Jose V. Yap. So he would be effective as he already has a grasp of the peace process,” Bello said.
“But it would depend on Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to appoint their representative to the GRP peace panel,” he said.
Bello said they are also waiting on Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III to appoint a GRP peace adviser for the Senate. (Raymund B. Villanueva/Photo from ILoveQC)
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/baustista.jpg512340Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2016-08-08 07:36:072016-08-08 07:36:07GRP NAMES BAUTISTA AND PAMINTUAN AS PEACE PANEL ADVISERS
DETAINED National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultants may still be released to join the resumption of formal peace negotiations with the Government of the Philippines (GRP) on August 20 in Oslo, Norway.
Chief GRP negotiator Silvestre Bello III said that they are working on the release of 22 NDFP negotiators through the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) despite the Supreme Court’s rejection of the government’s request to allow 10 of them to post bail.
“GRP peace panel lawyers, the Solicitor General and the Department of Justice are working on another track, the JASIG, so I do not think the Supreme Court resolution will affect our effort,” Bello said.
The high tribunal said Tuesday that it does not have jurisdiction over some key members of the NDFP negotiating team as they are still facing criminal charges in trial courts around the country.
The ten are Benito Tiamzon, Wilma Austria, Alan Jazmines, Tirso Alcantara, Maria Concepcion Araneta, Alex Birondo, Reynante Gamara, Ma. Loida Magpatoc and Adelberto Silva.
Earlier, human rights group Karapatan said it is an obligation of the government to release the 22 NDFP peace consultants along with more than 500 other political prisoners under the JASIG as well as the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
Relatives of the detainees have also asked the GRP why it is taking so long for them to release the political prisoners despite repeated pronouncements by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte has since altered his statements saying he will release political detainees in batches, starting with the NDFP consultants, then the sick and elderly, before issuing a general amnesty after the signing of a final peace agreement with the NDFP.
Bello said it is more realistic to expect a final peace agreement in nine to 12 months, double the length of time of the President’s initial timetable. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/bello.jpg343480Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2016-08-08 07:30:222016-08-08 07:32:36NDFP consultants to be released through JASIG--Bello
Itanong Mo Kay Prof
Hinggil sa unilateral ceasefire at usapang pangkapayapaan
August 3, 2016
Opening Spiel ni Prof. Sarah: Mainit na pagbati sa mga tagapakinig ng Itanong Mo Kay Prof. Muli nating makakapanayam ang Chief Consultant ng NDFP para sa Usapang Pangkapayapaan at tagapangulo ng International League of People’s Struggles.
Naging malakas ang ugong ng tunggalian sa pagitan ng mga personaheng nanawagan ng Peace Talks o Usapang Pangkapayapaan. Kamakailan ay nagkaroon ng palitan sa pagkokomento sina Presidente Duterte at Professor Jose Maria Sison, isa sa mga susing konsultant ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines at founding chairpersong ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas. Dumulo naman sa pagpapapahayag ng pagnanais ang bawat panig ng pagsusulong ng Usapang Kapayapaan.
Pero marami tayong dapat maintindihan tungkol sa Peace Process. Ano nga ba yung unilateral ceasefire? Kailan ito idinedeklara at pwede pala itong bawiin? Mayroon bang bilateral ceasefire? Kung gayon ay paano ba natin ito ilulugar at uunawain?
Ngayong batid na natin na hindi magiging madali ang Peace Talks at may mga aspeto ito na hindi kaagad nauunawaan ng mga bagong umaantabay sa usapin, makakasama nating muli si Professor Jose Maria Sison para sa mga tanong na nangangailangan ng agarang paglilinaw. Maalab na pagbati sa inyo Professor Sison at mabuhay ang inyong walang pagod na gawain para sa makatarungang kapayapaan!
Pagbati ni JMS: Maalab na makabayang pagbati sa inyo Prof. Sarah Raymundo at sa lahat ng ating tagapakinig. Salamat muli sa pagkakataon na makipanayam ko kayo tungkol sa usapin ng ceasefire at sa usapang pangkapayapaan.
Mga Tanong:
1. Prof Sison, ipaliwanag po muna natin sa ating mga tagapakinig ano ang ibig sabihin ng unilateral ceasefire? Ano naman po ang bilateral ceasefire?
JMS: Ang ibig sabihin ng unilateral ceasefire ay isahang-panig na pagtigil-putok batay sa kautusan ng isang panig sa kanyang sariling armadong pwersa. Pwedeng sabayan ito o sundan ng kabilang panig ng gayunding utos sa kanya ring sariling armadong pwersa. Nangyayari ang magkatugong ceasefire kapag may nauna nang kasunduang maaaring nakasulat o di nakasulat. Sa Oslo Joint Statement ng Hunyo 15, may kasunduan na pag-usapan sa resumption of formal talks ang mode of ceasefire kaugnay ng release ng lahat ng political prisoner sa pamamagitan ng amnesty proclamation. Pero nagmadaling mag-unilateral ceasefire ang panig ng gubyernong Duterte.
Sa unilateral ceasefire order ni President Duterte sa SONA noong Hulyo 25, isang sentence lang ang ginamit niya para mag-anunsyo ng order sa kanyang armadong pwersa. Sa sumunod na araw Hulyo 26, nag-issue ang AFP ng operating guidelines na tinawag na Suspension of Military Operations o SOMO. Sa Hulyo 27 naman, nag-issue ang PNP ng Suspension of Police
Operations o SOPO. Pinakamabuti sana kung nagpalitan muna ng kopya ng unilateral ceasefire order ang GRP at NDFP para naitakda ang common date of effectivity ng mga ito.
Maliwanag na may bilateral ceasefire kapag pinagkasunduan ito sa isang dokumento na pinagkaisahan at pinirmahan ng magkabilang panig at siyang magiging batayan ng pagtigil- putok ng magkabilang panig. Ang magkahiwalay o unilateral ceasefire ay mas madaling sulatin ng bawat panig at pwede ring preparasyon o batayan ang mga unilateral ceasefire declaration para gumawa ng bilateral ceasefire agreement na nakalahad sa iisang dokumento na pinagkasunduan ng magkabilang panig. Sa nakatakdang formal talks sa Oslo nang Agosto 20 hanggang 27, pwedeng magpalitan ng unilateral ceasefire orders sa umpisa at pagkatapos sikapin na batay sa mga ito gumawa ng iisang bilateral ceasefire agreement.
2. Anuman ang anyo ng ceasefire, papayag ba ang NDFP na makipag-ceasefire sa gobyernong Duterte kahit wala ang ipinangako niyang pagpapalaya ng political prisoners sa pamamagitan ng amnesty at walang pag-urong ng mga pwersa ng AFP at PNP mula sa inukupa ng mga ito na mga komunidad , mga iskwela, klinika at barangay hall? Paano naman din po yong sabu ng PNP na ipagpapatuloy ang mga legal offensive?
JMS: Ang NDFP hindi papayag sa anumang ceasefire kung hindi maunahan o masabayan ng pagpapalaya sa lahat ng political prisoner sa pamamagitan ng marangal na amnestiya. Hindi makatarungan ang pagkulong sa kanila. Labag sa CARHRIHL at Hernandez political offense doctrine ang pagkulong sa kanila. Gawa-gawa ng militar ang mga paratang na common crimes sa mga rebel suspect.
Kung wala man lang na pag-urong ng mga pwersa ng AFP at PNP mula sa inukupa ng mga ito na mga komunidad , mga iskwela, klinika at barangay hall, sasabihin ng masa na pinapatay ang rebolusyon nang wala silang pakinabang bilang mga biktima ng panunupil, pang-aapi at pagsasamantala. Hindi mangyayari ang ceasefire kung yong tinagurian ng PNP na legal offensive ay patuloy at magfabricate ng mga charges of common crimes para lamang ibilanggo ang mga social activist at rebel suspect.
3. Bakit napakahalaga ang usapin ng ceasefire sa anumang panig sa gera sibil ? Anong pakinabang ng gubyerno? Ano naman sa NDFP? Ano ang pakinabang para sa NPA? Paano naman nagkakasundo na mag-ceasefire ang dalawaqng panig?
JMS : Laging mas interesado ang reakyonaryong gubyerno sa ceasefire dahil nais palitawin na ang dahilan ng kahirapan ay ang pakikibaka ng masang anakpawis at hindi ang mga dayuhang monopolyo kapitalista, mga malaking komprador at asendero. Gustong sisihin ng reaksyonaryong gobyerno ang mga rebolusyonaryo at masa mismo at takpan ang pagsasamantala at pang-aapi ng imperyalismo at mga mapagsamalantalang uri.
At kung tigil putok na ang NPA hindi na siya makakalaban para sa mga karapatan at interes ng mga inaapi at pinagsasamantalahan, hindi na makakapagparami ng armas sa pamamagitan ng mga taktikal na opensiba at pwede pang magkaroon ng tendensiya ang mga mandirigma na hindi na maging mapagmatyag at nais ng magsibilyan dahil wala nang labanan.
Ang NDFP ay hindi basta bastang pumapasok sa ceasefire agreement kung walang mabuting dahilan at kabutihan para sa masa at mga rebolusyonaryo, tulad ng pagpapalaya sa lahat ng bihag, pagpapahusay ng kalagayan para sa peace negotiations at paghahanda ng kapayapaan, pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan para harapin ang iba pang kaaway o lutasin ang problemang dapat lutasin para sa kabutihan ng bayan. Pumayag ang NDFP sa ceasefire dahil sa ipinangako ni Duterte na palalayain ang lahat ng political prisoner.
Ang gubyerno laging nagmamaneobra na magceasefire para itulak ang kilusang rebolusyonaryo sa capitulasyon o lumikha ng mga hidwaan sa hanay ng mga rebolusyonaryo. Lumang taktika ng kaaway na mangako ng pagpapalaya sa mga bihag at hindi tutuparin ang pangako para magsisihan at maghidwaan ang mga rebolusyonaryo kung magka-ceasefire kahit na hindi tinupad ng gubyerno ang mga pangako.
4. Ano ang inyong pagtingin sa mga nagiging reaksyon at desisyon ni Pangulong Duterte sa usapin ng ceasefire? Ito po ay partikular sa deklarasyon niya ng unilateral ceasefire noong SONA, July 25, at ang pagbawi naman niya nito noong Sabado, July 30, alas syete ng gabi?
JMS : Nang gumawa ng anunsyo tungkol sa ceasefire ang presidente sa kanyang SONA noong Hulyo 25, sinabi niyang ito ́y effective immediately. Pero wala pang teksto ang kanyang ceasefire order. Noon pa lang na Hulyo 26 at 27 ito nagkalaman sa anyo ng SOMO ng AFP at SOPO ng PNP.
Noong araw mismo ng SONA nagpahayag kami ni Ka Louie Jalandoni ng pagwelcome sa announcement ni Duterte. Sumulat agad si Ka Louie kay Bebot Belo bilang katapat niyang chief negotiator ng Duterte government para hingin ang kopya ng ceasefire order at sabihin na sa Agosto 20 pa pwedeng opisyal na magpalitan ng opisyal na kopya ng ceasefire order para sikapin na gumawa ng bilateral ceasefire agreement.
Nang manghimasok ang Army at CAFGU sa Kapalong nong Hulyo 27 , tinambangan sila ng NPA yunit doon. Agad sinabi ni Duterte na lumabag ang NPA sa kanyang ceasefire order at kailangang magpaliwanag ang CPP at NPA within 24 hours, samantalang ang mga pwersa ng kanyang gobyerno ang siyang lumabag sa kanyang ceasefire order. Walang bisa ang kanyang ceasefire order sa NPA dahil ang ceasefire ni Duterte ay order lamang sa sarili niyang mga pwersa–ang AFP at PNP at dapat kabilang ang CAFGU na hindi binanggit–na siyang dapat niyang hiningan ng paliwanag o inimbistiga bago magsalita tungkol sa violation.
Hindi saklaw ng ceasefire order ni Duterte ang mga pwersa ng NPA at wala itong paglabag sa anumang ceasefire dahil wala pa namang order ang CPP.
5. Ano po ang naging pakiramdam ng Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) ng binigyan ng ultimatum ni Pangulong Duterte ang inyong Partido na magpaliwanag hinggil sa naganap na engkwentro ng AFP at NPA sa Davao del Norte noong July 27? Marami po kasing nagulat sa kanyang naging pahayag at tila may pagbabanta na maaapektuhan ang usapang pangkapayapaan.
JMS : Makikita natin ang pakiramdam ng CPP sa pagpapalagay nitong unreasonable at presumptuous si Duterte na magbigay ng ultimatum at banta sa mga pwersang rebolusyonaryo tungkol sa insidente sa Kapalong. Hindi marapat na umasta syang amo ng mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa. Sa katotohanan ang kanyang Army at CAFGU ang lumabag o sumuway sa kanyang unilateral ceasefire order.
Nang may ulat na ang NPA tungkol sa panghihimasok ng Army at CAFGU sa Kapalong, naglabas si Duterte ng isa pang ultimatum sa NDFP na mag-issue ng unilateral ceasefire order bago alas singko ng hapon ng Sabado, Hulyo 30. Sa hapon ng Hulyo 30 nag-abiso sa publiko ang CPP Media Bureau na magpapahayag ang CPP ng kanyang sariling unilateral ceasefire order alas otso ng gabi. Pero alas siyete pa lamang, binawi na ni Duterte ang kanyang unilateral ceasefire.
6. Isang oras lang po ang pagitan ng pagbawi ni Pangulong Duterte sa ceasefire at ang tangkang maglabas din ng pahayag mula sa CPP na magkaroon din ng sariling ceasefire ang armadong kilusan, bakit daw po hindi kaagad ito inilabas ng maaga ng CPP?
JMS : Nakapanghihinayang nga na hindi nakapagpasensya si Duterte. Ano ba naman ang isang oras pang paghihintay kaugnay ng isang napakaselang bagay kaugnay ng paglutas sa sandatahang labanan?
Nabimbin ang sariling ceasefire order ng CPP dahil hindi naibigay ng mas maagap ng panig ni Duterte ang kanilang SOMO at SOPO at dahil kinakailangan ang panahon para talakayin ang mga ito at isulat ang katumbas na ceasefire order ng CPP.
7. Sa inyo pong pagtingin Prof. Sison, maaapektuhan po ba talaga ang usapang pangkapayapaan ng mga nagaganap ngayon sa pagitan ng gubyernong Duterte at CPP/NPA/NDF? Kamusta po ang lagay ng inyong rebolusyonaryong pwersa sa kanayunan? Hindi po ba kayo nagkakagulo sa ganitong klaseng pihit ng mga pangyayari?
JMS : Bagamat nagkaroon ng palitan ng maainit na salita, sinasabi naman ng dalawang panig na itutuloy pa rin ang pormal na pag-usap sa Oslo sa Agosto 20 hangang 27 at sinisikap nila na magkaroon ng palitan ng unilateral ceasefire order. Sa tingin ko, matutuloy ang formal talks sa Oslo bastat ma-release ang 22 NDFP consultants na di makatarungang ibinibilanggo at ang karamihan o lahat ng 87 political prisoners na may sakit, matatanda, sobra nang tagal sa preso at mga babae. Tiyak na magkakaroon ng ceasefire kung palayain ang lahat ng political prisoners sa pamamagitan ng amnesty.
Maayos ang mga pwersang rebolusyonaryo sa kanayunan. Naka-active defense mode ang NPA habang naghihintay ng unilateral ceasefire order mula sa Komite Sentral ng CPP.
8. Kung hindi pa mairelease ang 22 NDFP consultants at 87 humanitarian cases ng political prisoners bago Agosto 20, ano ang mangyayari ? Matutuloy pa ba ang formal talks nitong Agosto?
JMS : Kung kulang na kulang sa bilang ng binanggit mong political prisoners ang marelease bago Agosto 10, magpapaabot na ang NDFP negotiating panel sa GRP negotiating panel na kailangan nila ng karagdagang panahon para magtuon sa pagrelease ng mga kawawang political prisoners bago magformal talks sa Oslo. Kawawa sila dahil sa parang nasa roller coaster sila. Umaasa silang mapapalaya, pagkatapos hindi pala.
9. Ngayong wala na pong ceasefire, ano na po ang mangyayari sa hanay ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan?
JMS : Batay sa sariling mga pahayag, maayos, masigla at sumusulong ang kilusang rebolusyonaryo. Masigasig na umaandar ang Partido, ang mga organisasyong masa, ang mga yunit ng hukbo at mga organo ng kapangyariyang pampulitika sa mga lokalidad. Mas problematiko ang katayuan ng NPA kung may ceasefire. Para manatili ang pagkakaisa at disiplina ng mga mandirigma, gawin silang okupado sa politico-military training, gawaing masa, produksyon, cultural work, pagsugpo sa droga at iba pang krimen, pagpapahigpit ng mga ugnay sa masa at iba pang gawain.
10. Ano ang inyong mensahe sa mga kasapi ng CPP/NPA/NDF? Ano naman po ang mensahe ninyo sa mamamayang Pilipino?
JMS: Mensahe ko sa mga kasama sa CPP, NPA at NDFP na magpakatatag tayong lahat sa linya ng demokratikong rebolusyon ng bayan. Ito ang linya ng digmang bayan. Ito rin ang linya sa peace negotiations. Hanggang ngayon, sinisikap nating himukin na maging mayor na alyado si Presidente Duterte sa pagsusulong ng pakikibaka para sa pambansa at panlipunang kalayaan ng sambayanang Pilipino.
Ang mensahe ko sa sambayanang Pilipino: Nasa inyong mga kamay ang pagsulong at tagumpay ng demokratikong rebolusyon ng bayan. Nakasalalay sa inyo ang pagpapalakas, pagsulong at tagumpay ng mga pwersang rebolusyonaryo.
Extro ni Prof Sarah: Maraming salamat Professor Sison! Ito po si Sarah Raymundo, aktibista ng Congress of Teachers for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND) at guro ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.
Isa na naman pong malaman at matalas na pakikipagtalastasan ang hatid ng ating mga tanong kay Prof. Sison. Lagi nating tandaan, ang usapang kapayapaan ay usaping pang-sambayanan. Ang usapang kapayapaan ay tungkol sa makasaysyan at pinakamatatayog na pangarap at adhikain ng sambayanang Pilipino para sa pabansang paglaya, demokrasya, at panlipunang hustisya. Karapatan nating makibaka para sa pambansang paglaya at demokrasya na ang layon ay makatarungang kapayapaan. Tungkulin natin ang magtagumpay.
https://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMKP-AUG-2016.png441849Kodao Productionshttps://kodao.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kodao.pngKodao Productions2016-08-08 07:25:502016-08-08 07:25:50ITANONG MO KAY PROF: Unilateral Ceasefire at Usapang Pangkapayapaan
