(UPDATE) The Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) have agreed to hold peace talks once again, in an effort to end the decades-long conflict. Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, Carlito Galvez Jr., made the announcement on Wednesday.
Both sides have come together to engage in dialogues aimed at creating a peace and transformation framework. This framework will focus on addressing the socio-economic and political drivers of the armed conflict, with the ultimate goal of bringing an end to the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army’s more than five-decades-old armed struggle.
“Cognizant of the serious socioeconomic and environmental issues, and the foreign security threats facing the country, the parties recognize the need to unite as a nation in order to urgently address these challenges and resolve the reasons for the armed conflict,” a joint communiqué read by Galvez at a briefing in Malacañang stated.
The joint communiqué was signed by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, represented by the Special Assistant to the President, Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., Galvez, and Gen. Emmanuel Bautista (Ret.). The NDFP was represented by National Executive Council Member Luis Jalandoni, Negotiating Panel Interim Chairman Julieta de Lima, and Panel Member Coni K. Ledesma. The signing took place in Norway on November 23, and it was witnessed by the Royal Norwegian Government Special Envoy Kristina Lie Revheim.
Galvez clarified that this would not be a resumption of the suspended peace negotiations. “We will start anew,” he said, adding that the government aims to draft the framework “in mid-first quarter” of next year.
“Both sides have affirmed their sincere desire to achieve national reconciliation and unity under the Marcos administration, agreeing to resolve and further address socioeconomic and political issues towards achieving a peaceful end to the armed conflict and armed struggle of the CPP-NPA-NDFP,” Galvez said.
He further explained that both parties acknowledge the deep-rooted socio-economic and political grievances and have agreed to develop a framework that sets the priorities for the peace negotiation. The aim is to achieve relevant socio-economic and political reforms that will lead to a just and lasting peace. This framework, which will establish the parameters for the final peace agreement, will be agreed upon by both parties.
Philippine military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner expressed his support for the resumption of talks, calling it “very good news for us.” He added, “If this conflict finally ends, your Armed Forces of the Philippines will be able to shift our focus to external or territorial defense.” However, he also clarified that until a “final agreement” is reached, the military will continue its operations against the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Philippines’ communist party.
The announcement comes almost a year after the death of Jose Maria Sison, the founder of the insurgency, who passed away in self-imposed exile in the Netherlands. Sison’s widow, Julieta de Lima, who heads the NDF’s negotiating panel, stated during a press conference in Utrecht on Tuesday that the NDF will appoint new members to the panel.
“The quest for genuine peace has no shortcuts,” de Lima emphasized. “It is very significant that the current president, who is the son of the late dictator Marcos, has acceded to the resumption of the peace negotiations. I believe it would be to his own good if the armed conflict can be resolved during his term.”
The exact date and venue for the talks, which are set to begin next year, are still being discussed, according to the NDF.
With AFP
Source: The Manila Times
