They all came with guarded optimism and managed
expectations.
When they leave tomorrow, they will be bringing results
beyond what they were hoping for.
It was swift and cordial but nevertheless substantive and
intense.
None of the acrimonious exchanges happened.
Instead, the discussions were jovial punctuated by off the
cuff remarks and banters that periodically made everybody in the room laughing
out loud.
Some giggling, even.
Yes, there were breaks in between but they were devoted to
discussing the fine prints of the documents and drafts that were passed and
handed out across the table.
They capped their discussions and exchange of notes with a
boodle fight dinner Thursday evening, August 24.
Peace negotiating panels from the Philippine government
(GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDFP) on Thursday reached agreements
on six major agenda taken up at the resumption of the formal peace negotiations
here in Oslo .
The unprecedented and historic pace and conclusion of this Oslo round left the host
Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) very pleased and satisfied.
The round is highlighted with indefinite ceasefire
declaration, which both parties have already declared or will announce, as the
peace process moves into the succeeding rounds to hammer out details of a
negotiated political settlement.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus G. Dureza
said the Oslo
round was a milestone under the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
It is an accomplishment, he added, that would be welcomed by
the Filipino people.
“Not only has President Duterte walked the extra mile. He
has also taken a step back to give the NDF space under his democratic and
inclusive government,” Dureza said.
“We will go home with a promise of a just and lasting peace
and our soldiers and the combatants of the NDF finally coming to terms that the
war must end,” he added.
Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, head of the GRP
negotiating panel, expressed thanks and appreciation for the patience and
candidness of their counterparts across the table with whom he has been holding
formal and backdoor negotiations for more than 14 years.
Extending his arms across the table signifying the conclusion
of the discussions of the major agenda and after initialing the draft documents
for finalization into a joint statement, Bello
said the Philippine government is looking towards a final peace agreement with
the NDF to end almost half a century of armed hostilities across the Philippine
countryside.
His remarks were reciprocated by NDFP peace panel head Luis
Jalandoni who expressed their gratitude towards the determination of President
Duterte of ending the war in the country and forging peace with the rebel
forces.
He said the releases of 21 detained NDF consultants were
crucial in the resumption of the peace negotiations.
At 11 a.m. (5 p.m, Philippine time), both panels will sign
and read a joint statement announcing the agreements forged between the two
negotiating panels during the August 22-25 peace talks held at the scenic
mountaintop Holmenkollen Park Hotel, venue of negotiations of armed conflicts
across the globe.
RNG representative Elizabeth Slattum did not hide her
amazement and said her government is very pleased with the success of the
formal opening rounds of the resumed GRP-NDFP peace negotiations.
The formal session was the first after five years and it
reaffirmed all previously signed agreements between the GRP and the NDFP that
was started by the The Hague Joint Declaration in 1992 and proceeded by the
Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) in 1996 and the
Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human Rights And International
Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) in 1998.
All three documents were signed under the Ramos
administration.
The panels also agreed to reconstitute the JASIG list after
the first document was corrupted. The encrypted list will contain the photos
and identities of NDFP consultants who are still underground who will be immune
to arrest while the peace process is undergoing.
The Philippine government will issue documents of
acknowledgement for the NDFP consultants still in hiding and for the 54
“publicly known NDF personalities.”
The negotiating parties likewise agreed to accelerate the
peace negotiations and set timelines for the completion of the remaining
substantive agenda.
Still to be discussed in detail are: socio-economic reforms;
political and constitutional reforms; and end of hostilities and disposition of
forces.
Also to be fleshed out in details are: amnesty proclamation;
joint monitoring committees; further releases of detained NDFP personnel; and
the modality and mechanics of the ceasefire.
Peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP were suspended in
2011.
President Duterte had promised to reopen talks and released
all imprisoned rebel leaders during the election campaign period.
The president has since accommodated several leaders from
Left in his government including appointing some of them to key cabinet
positions.
He announced a reimposition of an indefinite unilateral
ceasefire declaration when talks were resumed on August 22.
The NDFP had also earlier declared a 7-day unilateral
ceasefire for the duration of the Oslo
talks but has already committed to reciprocate the president’s announcement
with an indefinite unilateral declaration of its own.
The panels will hold its final meeting at 11 a.m. (Oslo time) Friday with
the signing of a joint statement before heading back home.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=917617
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