There is no longer a need for "localized" peace talks as the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) carries the whole revolutionary movement, including the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), whenever it talks with the Government of the Philippines (GPH), said the leader of the Cordillera revolutionary movement.
Cordillera People's Democratic Front (CPDF) spokesperson Simon “Ka Filiw” Naogsan said local revolutionary movements like the CPDF will not entertain “localized” peace talks anymore. He said such talks together with the “peace zones” of the Aquino administration are divisive and intended to confuse the Filipinos on the peace talks process.
Armed NPA guerilla fighters and troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are barred from entering areas declared as “peace zones” to avoid skirmishes.
Naogsan said the Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) started the idea of “localized peace talks” with NPA units in different parts of the country as the GPH chief negotiator claimed that the NDFP has stalled the talks with its conditions.
The NDFP said the government is delaying the peace talks, claiming the Philippine government violates already reached agreements and documents like the Hague Joint Declaration and Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG).
The Hague Joint Declaration contains the agenda of the peace talks, namely, 1) human rights and international humanitarian law; 2) socio-economic reforms; 3) political and constitutional reforms; and the 4) the cessation of hostilities and disposition of forces, in this order. JASIG provides protection and immunity from arrest and surveillance to peace talks participants including panelists, consultants, technical, and security staff.
The Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL) as agreed on the first agenda was signed in 1998. Both peace panels should be now talking about the second agenda focusing on Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER).
Naogsan said the Philippine government should show its sincerity and push for the resumption of the peace talks instead of delaying them by pushing for “localized” peace talks and peace zones.
He stressed the importance of the second substantive agenda or CASER. He explained that this will specifically address the economic problems the people have been suffering for so long.
According to Naogsan, the government of President Benigno Aquino III was not at all serious in talking peace with the NDFP. He then challenged the next administration to be sincere enough in finding peace and push for the resumption of the peace talks. He said the NDFP has been always open for talks.
http://interaksyon.com/article/126864/no-more-localized-peace-talks-and-peace-zones-cordi-rebel-spokesperson
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