The government (GRP) panel negotiating peace with the
National Democratic Front (NDF) is committed in signing a final peace agreement
with communist guerillas within one year, giving the administration of
President Rodrigo Duterte five more years to start implementing key reforms
mutually-agreed upon by both parties.
Government negotiator Hernani Braganza disclosed that the
Duterte administration has set a self-imposed deadline to wrap up the peace
talks in a year's time to allow the implementation stage of the peace process
to take root before the President's term ends in year 2022.
"The negotiation stage may be difficult, but the real
test of the peace process lies in the implementation of social, economic, and
political reforms mutually-agreed upon by both parties," Braganza told
participants of the Central Visayas People's Summit
for Peace and Change held in Cebu
City
"The Duterte government and the NDF share a common
mission: address the root causes of the armed conflict. Both panels are guided
by this mission and we are serious in finding joint solutions to attain just
and lasting peace," he added.
Braganza expressed optimism that both panels would be able
to finish the negotiation within one year following an agreement in Oslo
Part of the agreement was a commitment by the RWCs on
Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER) of both panels to
"endeavor to complete work within a period of six months."
Discussions on CASER is expected to last the longest among
items in the substantive agenda as these involve the most contentious issues
such as agrarian reform, national industrialization, and foreign policy.
Braganza explained that CASER is considered the "heart
and soul" of the peace negotiations between the GRP and the NDF, pointing
out that work on socio-economic reform would determine the outcome of the
talks.
"Fast-tracking discussions on CASER means accelerating
the process of seeking political settlement with the NDF and ending almost half
a century of armed conflict with communist guerillas," Braganza added.
Another agreement signed in Oslo
* Exchange of drafts by September 2016;
* Common draft by October 2016;
* Discussions on common draft on November 2016;
* Drafting of common draft at RWC level by December 2016;
and
* Completion of final draft by January 2017 for submission
to respective Panels.
Also agreed upon was the timetable set by the RWGs on End of
Hostilities/Disposition of Forces (EoH/DoF), which are required to commence
their work on draft outlines by Oct. 24,2016, without waiting for the result of
discussions on other substantive issues.
The other major agreements that were signed in Oslo
* Reaffirmation of previously signed agreements since The
Hague Joint Declaration of 1992, including the Joint Agreement on Safety and
Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for
Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) "subject to
further developments and enhancements as may be mutually agreed upon."
* Reconstitution of the JASIG List which was presented by
the NDF Panel to the GRP Panel. The JASIG protects certain NDF leaders and
consultants from arrest and prosecution in recognition of their participation
in the peace process.
* Formal revitalization of the Joint Monitoring Committee, a
mechanism crucial in the implementation of CARHRIHL.
* Commitment of the GRP to "cause the early release of
prisoners (as listed by the NDF) who are sick, elderly, overly long detained,
and women based on humanitarian grounds."
* Recommendation for President Duterte to "issue an
amnesty proclamation, subject to concurrence of Congress, for the release of
prisoners who are listed by the NDF and who have been arrested, imprisoned,
charged, and/or convicted for alleged acts or omissions within the ambit of the
Revised Penal Code or special laws in connection with crimes in pursuit of
one's political beliefs."
Braganza, at the same time, called on ordinary citizens to
get themselves involved and participate in public discussions related to
ongoing peace talks between the GRP and NDF.
He noted that the government panel would continue holding
public consultations with various groups in the Philippines
"We are negotiators for the Filipino people. We want to
get their position on issues up for discussion so these can be taken into
consideration during negotiation," Braganza said.
"This is not a mere discussion between two panels of negotiators.
We want all voices to be heard and amplified in the negotiating table," he
added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=920939
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