ON PEACE MONTH | Govt panel calls on communist rebels to 'end violence'

From InterAksyon (Sep 1): ON PEACE MONTH | Govt panel calls on communist rebels to 'end violence'

At the start of Peace Consciousness Month, government peace negotiators on Sunday called on communist rebels to “listen to our people,” “end violence,” and “build peace.” They also noted the advances made in its peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“With the Filipino people, we renew our call to the Communist Party of the Philippines for an end to violence on the ground so we can together build the peace that we all aspire for,” the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) http://opapp.gov.ph/news/listen-our-people-message-government-panel-negotiations-cpp-npa-ndfp

“With our people, we share the urgency of ending the armed hostilities to give way to development, especially in conflict-affected areas, which are the poorest and most deprived communities in the country,” it said.

For the past four decades, the CPP has been waging war against the government. The revived peace talks with the Aquino administration have been stalled for some time now, but occasionally the two parties would call and abide by a ceasefire agreement, usually during the religious holidays of Christmas and Holy Week. Sometimes, after a devastating disaster, the two parties would also agree to a localized cessation of hostilities.

In its statement, the government reminded that CPP that violence has no place in Philippine society, especially with “ample democratic space for everyone to peacefully pursue reforms and contribute to social change.”

“As we celebrate the 10th National Peace Consciousness Month, we call on the CPP to listen to our people. Instead of violence, let us build peace. Instead of belligerent statements, let us put on the table ideas and strategies for building meaningful consensus that will put an end to armed hostilities,” the OPAPP said.

“We continue to believe that if we listen to our people’s aspirations and act accordingly, lasting peace is still possible in spite of stumbling blocks in the peace process. Our people deserve no less,” it added.

Peace talks with MILF

On its peace negotiations with the MILF, the OPAPP said it has reached several milestones in trying to achieve “just and lasting peace in Mindanao.”

“After more than 15 years of negotiations, the GPH and the MILF made history in October 2012 with the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), paving the way for the creation of the new Bangsamoro political entity,” it said.

There have been no armed skirmishes between government forces and the MILF since January 2012, the government said.

Of the four annexes that, alongside the FAB, that will form part of the GPH-MILF Comprehensive Agreement, two have been completed: “The Annexes on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, and Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing were conscientiously crafted by both sides with the end view of providing meaningful political and fiscal autonomy to the envisioned Bangsamoro region,” OPAPP said.
At the same time, OPAPP said it targets the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement this year.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/69809/on-peace-month--govt-panel-calls-on-communist-rebels-to-end-violence