The Filipino farmers may be one step nearer to reaching their dream of having their own lands once an agreement on social and economic reforms is signed within this year between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
The fourth round of peace talks ended on a positive note to pursue free land distribution, amid snags admitted by both the negotiating panels of the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
What the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines signed here on Wednesday was not yet a truce.
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines believes the statements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ chief, Gen. Eduardo Año do not bode well for the efforts of the two Parties here in negotiating for peace.
It will still be a talk and fight scenario as peace negotiators of the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines agreed to forge an interim joint ceasefire agreement.
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) urged the Philippine government to order a stand down of state forces in a ten-day Suspension of Military Operations (SOMO) for the AFP and Suspension of Police Operations (SOPO) for the PNP to expedite the release of six remaining Prisoners of War of the New People’s Army.
On the second day of the fourth round of the formal talks, a small group discussion of the negotiating panels from both sides of the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines lasted about 10 minutes before the panel returned on the table to discuss on the issue of ceasefire.
As far as the National Democratic Front of the Philippines is concerned, former government chief negotiator Alex Padilla is “trying hard to be a spoiler.”
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines said President Rodrigo Duterte might not get exactly what he wants, but said they are open to make adjustments.
Special Envoy of the Royal Norwegian Government, Elisabeth Slattum congratulated both peace panels of the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines for pushing through with the fourth round of talks which opened here Monday, Apr. 3.
