Peace advocates and activists from various groups call for the resumption of peace talks between the government and communist rebels during a rally along Taft Avenue in Manila yesterday. EDD GUMBAN
The peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) must continue to fulfill the people’s demand for a just and lasting peace, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison said yesterday.
Sison said that despite the resumption of hostilities between the government and the communist rebels, “peace negotiations can and must continue, precisely to continue” the forging of several agreements.
He mentioned the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER), the Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms (CAPCR) and the bilateral ceasefire agreement effecting the amnesty and release of all political prisoners within the year.
Sison said the recent third round of formal talks achieved significant gains towards just and lasting peace.
“There was a fair exchange of views and agreements on efforts to comply with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) concerning the release of all political prisoners, justice for and indemnification of victims of human right, violations under the Marcos regime, allegations of human rights violations under Oplans Bayanihan, Tokhang and Kapayapaan, and approval of the supplementary guidelines of the Joint Monitoring Committee,” he said.
“There was also an initial discussion of the bilateral ceasefire agreement to replace the unilateral ceasefire declarations,” Sison said.
He said the biggest achievements in moving forward the peace process are the exchange of full drafts of the CASER by the reciprocal working committees of both panels, and the complete drafts of the CAPCR by the reciprocal working groups.
“I estimate that it is possible to unify these drafts within 2017. The NDF has formally offered to (the government) to co-found the Federal Republic of the Philippines on the basis of the CAPCR,” Sison said.
Sison said in his view, it is possible to implement the CASER and CAPCR through the government’s executive actions, legislation and constitutional amendments before the signing of the agreement to end hostilities and disposition of forces in 2020.
“Before then, a bilateral ceasefire agreement is possible, especially after the signing of the CASER and the CAPCR by the negotiating panels in 2017,” he said.
Sison lamented the significant success of the third round of the formal talks in Rome has been overshadowed by the reaction of President Duterte to the announcement of the New People’s Army (NPA) to terminate its unilateral ceasefire.
“I can understand the role of President Duterte in reacting as president and commander-in-chief. It is his duty to speak and act in the interest of the government and express concern for his troops. But there should have been a measure of restraint in his reaction in order to preserve the peace process,” he said.
Sison said Duterte’s announcements to consider the CPP-NPA and NDF as terrorist organizations and to terminate the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) had the effect of terminating the entire peace negotiations.
“I believe that President Duterte’s reaction should not have gone this far,” Sison said.
“I propose to him to consult thoroughly with his negotiating panel and the peace advocates in his own Cabinet and others outside of his government, and encourage and allow back-channeling efforts to clarify misunderstandings and solve immediately the current problems.”
Sison said the third party facilitator on the peace talks should be briefed by each negotiating party to allow inputs or suggestions on how to continue the peace process.
Sison stressed the peace talks could proceed even as fighting continues.
He said more than 10 major agreements were made during the tenure of former president Fidel Ramos even while fighting was ongoing.
He said the CPP-NPA-NDF remains committed to the peace process in accordance with The Hague Joint Declaration and further agreements.
“They wish to pursue with the government the bright prospects that started with the first round of formal talks in August 2016 and overcome the peace spoilers that run counter to the progress that has been achieved in the third round of formal talks.
“We must respond to and strive to fulfill the Filipino people’s demand for a just and lasting peace,” Sison said.
Founded in 1968, the rural-based CPP-NPA has unsuccessfully tried to negotiate an end to their rebellion and their inclusion in government with six presidents, including Duterte.
Several sectors also pressed for the continuance of the peace talks.
Lawmakers led by Pangasinan Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil said there is still hope in reviving the peace talks.
Bataoil, who was part of the government’s peace negotiating team that went to Rome, said, “Both sides should hope and work for that compelling reason to realize our achievements for long and lasting peace.”
“One of our demands is the declaration of bilateral ceasefire, it cannot be unilateral because if there is violation, it cannot be investigated carefully by a joint team,” he said.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/11/1671089/joma-wants-peace-talks-proceed
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