Joint truce agreement in peril

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 23): Joint truce agreement in peril

The prospect of a bilateral ceasefire agreement being signed here between the Philippine Government (GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) may have been put in peril by a clash between the military and communist insurgents in North Cotabato reportedly left eight soldiers and a New People’s Army rebel dead last January 20.

ALL HANDS ON DECK – Leaders of the Philippine Govt and the National Democratic Front put their hands together at the start of the third round of peace negotiations in Rome, Italy. With them is Ambassador Eric Forner of Norway, official third party negotiator of the negotiations. In photo are (from left) Ndf chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison, Ndf peace panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili, Grp peace panel chairman silvestre bello III. Foreign Affairs Sec Perfecto Yasay, and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jess Dureza.

 

This became apparent after NDF leaders, who are engaged in a third round of peace talks with the GRP in this city, expressed dismay over the bloody encounter in Makilala town that happened right on the second day of the talks that started on January 19. “Kung walang mapapakitang dahilan ang GRP, mas malamang na hindi na ‘to matuloy (If the GRP cannot give a compelling reason, it is most likely that it won’t push through),” said NDF peace panel member Benito Tiamzon with just two more days left on the negotiating table.

In fact, Tiamzon noted, the Makilala encounter only “justified the sentiment of those in the field who have said that the unilateral ceasefire was already untenable.”

Another NDF peace panel member Concha Araneta Bocala pointed out that “a bilateral ceasefire is not the answer to violations, and that it cannot deter violent encounters.” “(The Makilala incident) was an indication that (the military) does not follow the ceasefire,” she said.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, in a message from New York where he is attending two forums on peace, said “a bilateral ceasefire, with guidelines and mechanism in place, is becoming all the more needed and imperative, otherwise the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the NPA will have their own reports and accusations favorable to their own version and interest, or propaganda line.”

“In a bilateral ceasefire, independent monitors (will be able to) conduct their own independent investigations, submit reports with possible sanctions imposed, if warranted,” he said.

Dureza, who is also chairman of the Philippine peace panel dealing with Moro insurgents, said that “the best practices in our peace engagements with the Bangsamoro can be instructive to both sides.” Dureza left for the United Nations in New York Friday, January 20, and is expected to return here in time for the close of this third round of talks on Wednesday, January 25.

http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/01/23/joint-truce-agreement-in-peril/