Apprehensive that the re-scheduling of the peace talks could further result to the escalation of the armed conflict and dislocation of civilians especially in the countryside, Mindanao multi-sectoral leaders have asked the Duterte administration to push for the resumption of the negotiation and to “do all the necessary steps and forward reforms that would end poverty in all forms.”
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) stood its ground that the peace negotiations with the government of the Philippines (GRP) be held in a neutral venue abroad and the validity of agreements since 1992 be upheld, NDFP Chief Political Consultant Prof. Jose Maria Sison asserted on Thursday.
A tribal leader has expressed his dismay over the resetting of the peace talks between the Duterte administration and the communist rebels saying the indigenous peoples (IPs) of Mindanao are the first victims of the ongoing armed conflict being waged by the guerrillas against the government.
Attacks and harassments of indigenous people’s schools and communities have continued, the organization Save our Schools Network has reported.
Having stayed the scheduled resumption of the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front supposed to happen on June 15, President Rodrigo Duterte changed tone and wanted the negotiations to continue in the Philippines.
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte called off the scheduled resumption of peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines on June 28 in Oslo, Norway.
Pasaka Lumad confederation slammed the harassment of the 56th Infantry Battalion and paramilitary group ALAMARA to Lumad leader and chieftain of Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon, Datu Guibang Apoga.
Lumad schools in Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley marked their first day of classes with heavy military presence and harassment.
Even as she sees the probability of the signing of an interim peace agreement (IPA) with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), a member of the panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) reiterated the significance of integrating basic reforms into the agreement.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has assured that it will remain in the war-ravaged Marawi City to extend humanitarian aid to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) until the situation there has returned to normal.
