During the conclusion of the second round of talks in Oslo, Norway on October 9 last year, both the government and the NDFP renewed commitments to work out their respective ceasefire committees to “reconcile and develop” the unilateral ceasefire declarations into a bilateral document within 60 days from August 26, 2016. ZEA IO MING CAPISTRANO/DAVAOTODAY.COM FILE PHOTO
ROME, Italy – The Philippine peace panel expects to hammer out a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the communists ahead of the third round of the peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines to be held here starting on January 19 until January 25.
In a statement on Tuesday, Presidential adviser on the peace process Jesus Dureza said the Philippine government is optimistic, “although with managed expectations,” that the resumption of the peace negotiation will bring about positive outcomes.
During the conclusion of the second round of talks in Oslo, Norway on October 9 last year, both the government and the NDFP renewed commitments to work out their respective ceasefire committees to “reconcile and develop” the unilateral ceasefire declarations into a bilateral document within 60 days from August 26, 2016.
The NDFP, however, maintained that before any long-term agreement such as a bilateral ceasefire declaration is inked between the two parties, the Philippine government should honor its commitment in the previous agreements, foremost of which is to give justice to ordinary civilians and activists who have long been incarcerated and are still languishing in jails.
President Rodrigo Duterte said there would be no release of the political prisoners unless a bilateral ceasefire agreement is signed.
Peace groups have warned the government must address the root causes of the more than four decades of armed conflict.
“These talks are supposed to address the root causes of the armed conflict. The talks are not solely for the purpose of securing a ceasefire while the roots of the armed conflict remain unresolved,” Fr. Ben Alforque of the Kapayapaan Campaign for Just and Lasting Peace said in a previous statement.
Dureza recognized that the “crucial agenda items on socio-economic reforms; constitutional and political reforms; and end of hostilities and disposition of forces” are also on the table for discussions.
“These issues, although difficult, are surmountable with both sides sharing common aspirations for peace,” he said.
Dureza said Duterte has instructed the government panel to “work for an early settlement of the issues as he calls on the nation to provide support to the efforts to ultimately bring peace in the land.”
“The outcomes of the 3rd round of talks can bring us closer to achieving some possible milestones for sustainable peace,” said Dureza.
The release of some 400 political prisoners remain at hand as the government panel assured that the President is still committed to grant amnesty and pardon but government chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III said they cannot say when it will happen.
“Ang pangako ng president ay palalayain lahat, pero when ay hindi pa natin masisiguro. Dahil sabi ko nga ay dadaan sa legal process (The President’s promise is that all prisoners will be released, but we are unsure as to when this will happen. Like what I said, this should undergo legal process),” Bello told reporters in an interview during his attendance to the 48th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Paquibato district in Davao City on December 26 last year.
“I think this will be enacted by the President after a final peace agreement has been arrived,” he said. (davaotoday.com)
