From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Aug 22): Army in Negros to continue ‘Bayanihan’ amid ceasefire
THE Philippine Army will continue its Bayanihan activities despite the seven-day ceasefire declared by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA).
The seven-day truce of the rebels, set from August 21 to 27, was reciprocated by Malacañang, which announced that the duration of the ceasefire would last for as long as necessary.
From August 22 to August 26, the government peace panel and the consultants of the CPP-NPA’s political wing National Democratic Front will resume the formal peace talks in Oslo, Norway.
Second Lieutenant Ma. Revekka Roperos, public information officer of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, said the soldiers in Negros Island Region will abide by the order of the higher command.
“We will stop our combat operations,” Roperos said, but she pointed out that the army will continue with its presence in the communities.
“We will focus and intensify our Bayanihan activities because this is not combat in nature,” she said, adding that it’s also a support on other law enforcement agencies in their anti-criminality campaign.
Christian Tuayon, secretary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Negros, said they welcomed the ceasefire declaration of the CPP-NPA as this is in support to the peace talks to achieve just and lasting peace.
He added that he is hoping that both parties will come up and agree with a solution to address the armed conflict.
Still, Tuayon called on the army to pull out its forces in the communities as this is a violation of the truce.
“They should go back to their barracks,” he added.
Chief Supt. Conrado Capa, director of Police Regional Office-18, said that the ceasefire is “good for everyone,” adding the police supports the peace process.
On July 25, President Rodrigo Duterte had declared a ceasefire with the rebels, but lifted it after the latter failed to honor the truce.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2016/08/22/army-negros-continue-bayanihan-amid-ceasefire-492953
Monday, August 22, 2016
Overrunning ASG camps key to curb terrorism in Basilan
From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 21): Overrunning ASG camps key to curb terrorism in Basilan
When enemies of State occupy territories and establish camps, this creates opportunities for terror to expand and misery to thrive.
Since the 1990s, the notorious Abu Sayyfas had been terrorizing the people of Basilan and stretched its evil hands out to its neighboring provinces and cities. They have even pledged allegiance to ISIS to boost its intention to create widespread fear and uncertainties not only in Basilan, but in the entire country as well.
When President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his recent visit in Basilan, ordered the complete eradication of the Abu Sayyafs until the last bandit, the military’s relentless pursuit operation at the hinterlands of the island took off unwaveringly.
President Duterte’s strong pronouncements versus terrorism have echoed to the hearts of the soldiers that boosted their morale to help the people of Basilan to attain peace now.
The president’s firm resolve has gained results. On Aug 15, elements from the 104TH Brigade led by the 4TH Special Forces Battalion finally seized the enemy’s stronghold at Barangay Silangkum, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan Province. The hill is the ASG’s last stronghold after the terrorists went on the run from the relentless military operation that started in July.
Last Sunday (Aug 14), Special Forces troops from the 4TH Special Forces Battalion, 2ND Special Forces Battalion and SF Combat Qualification Course (SFCQC) students were able to simultaneously seize and control Barangay Baguindan Proper, Tipo-Tipo and Hill 440 (Kawilan Hill), a strategic stronghold of the ASGs.
1LT Ron Villarosa, Public Affairs Officer, 4TH Special Force Battalion said that the decisive terrain serves to secure the enemy’s vital mobility and supply corridor and also stands as a monument to intimidate nearby communities. The combined arms assault from the Special Forces, other elite counter terrorism units and Light Armor Cavalry Troops with support from massive artillery fires forced the enemy to abandon their stronghold.
Villarosa said that forging alliance with locals and key peace stakeholders like the MNLF has helped a lot in the successful takeover of ASG strongholds by government troops.
For him, such is just a glimpse of the Elite Special Forces’ ability to wage an unseen war within the hearts and the minds of the populace. Living up as silent professionals, the 4TH Special Forces Battalion is in the forefront on the “war on terror” in Basilan Province - silently doing their share of such critical task - without fanfare or trumpet’s blare.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1421471590438/overrunning-asg-camps-key-to-curb-terrorism-in-basilan
When enemies of State occupy territories and establish camps, this creates opportunities for terror to expand and misery to thrive.
Since the 1990s, the notorious Abu Sayyfas had been terrorizing the people of Basilan and stretched its evil hands out to its neighboring provinces and cities. They have even pledged allegiance to ISIS to boost its intention to create widespread fear and uncertainties not only in Basilan, but in the entire country as well.
When President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his recent visit in Basilan, ordered the complete eradication of the Abu Sayyafs until the last bandit, the military’s relentless pursuit operation at the hinterlands of the island took off unwaveringly.
President Duterte’s strong pronouncements versus terrorism have echoed to the hearts of the soldiers that boosted their morale to help the people of Basilan to attain peace now.
The president’s firm resolve has gained results. On Aug 15, elements from the 104TH Brigade led by the 4TH Special Forces Battalion finally seized the enemy’s stronghold at Barangay Silangkum, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan Province. The hill is the ASG’s last stronghold after the terrorists went on the run from the relentless military operation that started in July.
Last Sunday (Aug 14), Special Forces troops from the 4TH Special Forces Battalion, 2ND Special Forces Battalion and SF Combat Qualification Course (SFCQC) students were able to simultaneously seize and control Barangay Baguindan Proper, Tipo-Tipo and Hill 440 (Kawilan Hill), a strategic stronghold of the ASGs.
1LT Ron Villarosa, Public Affairs Officer, 4TH Special Force Battalion said that the decisive terrain serves to secure the enemy’s vital mobility and supply corridor and also stands as a monument to intimidate nearby communities. The combined arms assault from the Special Forces, other elite counter terrorism units and Light Armor Cavalry Troops with support from massive artillery fires forced the enemy to abandon their stronghold.
Villarosa said that forging alliance with locals and key peace stakeholders like the MNLF has helped a lot in the successful takeover of ASG strongholds by government troops.
For him, such is just a glimpse of the Elite Special Forces’ ability to wage an unseen war within the hearts and the minds of the populace. Living up as silent professionals, the 4TH Special Forces Battalion is in the forefront on the “war on terror” in Basilan Province - silently doing their share of such critical task - without fanfare or trumpet’s blare.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1421471590438/overrunning-asg-camps-key-to-curb-terrorism-in-basilan
OPAPP: Duterte gov't begins formal quest for peace with NDF
From the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) (Aug 22): Duterte gov't begins formal quest for peace with NDF
OSLO, Norway—The Philippine government (GPH) today, August 22, resumed its formal negotiations to seek peace with the National Democratic Front (NDF), seeking to forge a political settlement anchored on sweeping social, economic, and political reforms that were deemed crucial in ending Asia's longest running insurgency.
Two Cabinet officials of the President Rodrigo Duterte led the five-member government panel that met in Oslo with top leaders of the NDF, some of whom flew directly from the Philippines immediately after being released from prisons on bail.
"We are all here, in a foreign land, to reignite the lost sparks that were there before as both parties search for political settlement and peace. The last talks were five years ago and in all these peace efforts spanning under six presidencies, we had breakdown of talks due to preconditions," said Secretary Jesus Dureza, the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process.
"Why are we here today, doing the same thing and hoping to get the same result? If we look at where we are today, there is a new element: the Duterte presidency. There is also a fresh euphoria among our people about the prospects of peace negotiations," Dureza added.
Dureza expressed optimism that unlike in previous negotiations, the new round of talks between the Philippine government and the NDF would succeed this time due to bold steps undertaken by President Duterte to jumpstart the discussions in Oslo.
"We are all witness how he (Duterte) had taken bold steps, the unprecedented and historic release of our detainess, to make them available to the negotiations. Even the record time facilitation of foreign travel, not even available to ordinary Filipinos, had been made possible to make the NDF personalities available to the negotiating table," he pointed out.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, concurrent chairman of the government peace panel with NDF, noted that President Duterte has made the mission of the government panel very clear: help bring peace to the Filipino people.
"There is no giving up on peace work and peace-making knows no limits," Bello said.
"We can never have a peace agreement if we do not talk. It will take more than one party to make a peace agreement," he added.
The resumption of the GPH-NDF peace negotiations in Oslo has been described as historic as it also served as a venue for the reunion of Filipino Marxist leaders who assumed top positions in the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
For the first time in 30 years, founding CPP Chairman Jose Maria Sison huddled under roof with three other guerilla leaders who, according to the military, once served as party chairman—Benito Tiamzon, Allan Jasmines, and Rafael Baylosis.
Tiamzon and his wife Wilma, who allegedly served as CPP Secretary General, were freed on bail only last week and allowed to travel to Oslo to participate in the peace negotiations. Jasminez and Baylosis were also ordered release on bail for the peace talks.
The meeting in Oslo from August 22 to 26 will be the first formal peace talks under the Duterte administration. This comes on the heels of informal talks earlier held in Norway, where the rebels agreed to resume negotiations with the government.
The agenda of the first meeting in Oslo will cover 5 major points:
• Affirmation of previously signed agreements;
• Accelerated process for negotiations, including the timeline for the completion of the remaining substantive agenda for the talks: socio-economic reforms; political and economic reforms; and end of hostilities and disposition of forces;
• Reconstitution of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) list
• Amnesty Proclamation for the release of all detained political prisoners, subject to concurrence by Congress; and
• Mode of interim ceasefire.
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/cpp-npa-ndf/news/duterte-govt-begins-formal-quest-peace-ndf
OSLO, Norway—The Philippine government (GPH) today, August 22, resumed its formal negotiations to seek peace with the National Democratic Front (NDF), seeking to forge a political settlement anchored on sweeping social, economic, and political reforms that were deemed crucial in ending Asia's longest running insurgency.
Two Cabinet officials of the President Rodrigo Duterte led the five-member government panel that met in Oslo with top leaders of the NDF, some of whom flew directly from the Philippines immediately after being released from prisons on bail.
"We are all here, in a foreign land, to reignite the lost sparks that were there before as both parties search for political settlement and peace. The last talks were five years ago and in all these peace efforts spanning under six presidencies, we had breakdown of talks due to preconditions," said Secretary Jesus Dureza, the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process.
"Why are we here today, doing the same thing and hoping to get the same result? If we look at where we are today, there is a new element: the Duterte presidency. There is also a fresh euphoria among our people about the prospects of peace negotiations," Dureza added.
Dureza expressed optimism that unlike in previous negotiations, the new round of talks between the Philippine government and the NDF would succeed this time due to bold steps undertaken by President Duterte to jumpstart the discussions in Oslo.
"We are all witness how he (Duterte) had taken bold steps, the unprecedented and historic release of our detainess, to make them available to the negotiations. Even the record time facilitation of foreign travel, not even available to ordinary Filipinos, had been made possible to make the NDF personalities available to the negotiating table," he pointed out.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, concurrent chairman of the government peace panel with NDF, noted that President Duterte has made the mission of the government panel very clear: help bring peace to the Filipino people.
"There is no giving up on peace work and peace-making knows no limits," Bello said.
"We can never have a peace agreement if we do not talk. It will take more than one party to make a peace agreement," he added.
The resumption of the GPH-NDF peace negotiations in Oslo has been described as historic as it also served as a venue for the reunion of Filipino Marxist leaders who assumed top positions in the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
For the first time in 30 years, founding CPP Chairman Jose Maria Sison huddled under roof with three other guerilla leaders who, according to the military, once served as party chairman—Benito Tiamzon, Allan Jasmines, and Rafael Baylosis.
Tiamzon and his wife Wilma, who allegedly served as CPP Secretary General, were freed on bail only last week and allowed to travel to Oslo to participate in the peace negotiations. Jasminez and Baylosis were also ordered release on bail for the peace talks.
The meeting in Oslo from August 22 to 26 will be the first formal peace talks under the Duterte administration. This comes on the heels of informal talks earlier held in Norway, where the rebels agreed to resume negotiations with the government.
The agenda of the first meeting in Oslo will cover 5 major points:
• Affirmation of previously signed agreements;
• Accelerated process for negotiations, including the timeline for the completion of the remaining substantive agenda for the talks: socio-economic reforms; political and economic reforms; and end of hostilities and disposition of forces;
• Reconstitution of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) list
• Amnesty Proclamation for the release of all detained political prisoners, subject to concurrence by Congress; and
• Mode of interim ceasefire.
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/cpp-npa-ndf/news/duterte-govt-begins-formal-quest-peace-ndf
OPAPP: Dawn of a new day; let's stay the course
From the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) (Aug 22): Dawn of a new day; let's stay the course
Opening statement of Secretary Jesus G. Dureza during the formal resumption of peace negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF
On this crispy cold Oslo morning, we are all convened here, thousands of miles away from our own homeland, ironically in a foreign clime and time, in yet another renewed effort to re-ignite the lost sparks that were once there, in our mutual search for that seemingly elusive peace in our land.Today's challenges , no doubt, are daunting. Consider the following stark realities:
* 40 years of conflict;
* Filipinos fighting Filipinos;
*about 40 rounds of "off and on" peace talks;
* around 15 deadlocks
* last peace talks 5 years ago
* Spanning six ( 6) presidencies
I was a young Davao congressman then when I first joined the fray as Panel Adviser representing the House of Representatives. I and Secretary Bebot Bello were 30 years younger then and I am amazed that we are still here today! I still see old timers here on our side of the table like former PAPP Rene Sarmiento, former Sec Nani Braganza, including Secretariat chief Carla Munsayac, Atty Sedfrey Candelaria, among others. And as I scan across the other side of the table, I still see the same still familiar looking faces, Joma Sison, Louie Jalandoni, Fidel Agcaoili, Coni Ledesma, Julie de Lima , Asterio Palima , Ka Satur Ocampo and others.
We all went through several breakdown of talks. We stumbled due to "preconditions", so-called "hardline non- negotiable positions", the ghost of the now obsolete " status of belligerency" rearing it's ugly head from time to time. There were many more of these obstacles.
We have long worked together and we hope to learn from the lessons of the immediate past.
So, why are we still here today doing the same things as before and hoping to find better results this time than before? I recall an interesting post at my Facebook account which defined " insanity" as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting and hoping that the results will be different at some other time.
Well, there's a new, refreshing element now in that illusive peace equation that has unexpectedly entered the scene. And this is the dawning of some new hope with the onset of the Duterte presidency. President Rodrigo Duterte has committed his presidency to bringing a definitive and final peace settlement to our troubled land. We who are in government are working now under his leadership and guidance to bring about this commonly shared dream.
The bold and historic recent release of detainees and the record-time, hastily-arranged foreign travel in so short period of time to enable them to participate in the peace negotiations is unprecedented. I never imagined this could ever happen before, including the spontaneous ceasefire declarations that we now see happening.
Yes, the Duterte presidency is the main and compelling reason why we are all still here, confidently inspired and full of spirit , still with fire in our belly to hopefully find new breakthroughs and milestones together.
Please allow me to also mention an important factor that impels us to continue our difficult task, the daunting challenges notwithstanding. Let me pay tribute to the strong support, patient and creative facilitation of the Royal Norwegian government - our virtual common umbilical cord that tightly connected us and kept us from walking away from the negotiating table during those trying times. Likewise, we also cite the support of the other foreign governments and the donor community and we call on them to continue being with us in our peace journey.
We can all see now that there is renewed and fresh euphoria in the air. Our coming together starting today should be not in the context of out-witting or out-maneuvering each other across the table. Neither is this a joust of one side unduly gaining strategic advantage over the other.
But this should be more of a coming together of Filipinos interested to see changes in the land-- in our land, to be shared for and by all. If we can, let's no longer call our engagements as negotiations but instead a shared national "conversation" a " dialogue" where we find together common grounds, bridge the divides and seek common dreams to share.
But this peace journey is not on well-paved and concrete road. There will expectedly be humps and bumps along the way. The road to peace is not easy and rosy, considering the long history of animosity, suspicion and armed conflict that troubled our land.
Hopefully all this now belong to yesterday. Today is the dawning of another day.
As I always say: Let's all stay the course! No matter what!!
Who knows. This may perhaps be our last chance in our own lifetime to make this shared dream come true.
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/cpp-npa-ndf/news/dawn-new-day-lets-stay-course
Opening statement of Secretary Jesus G. Dureza during the formal resumption of peace negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF
On this crispy cold Oslo morning, we are all convened here, thousands of miles away from our own homeland, ironically in a foreign clime and time, in yet another renewed effort to re-ignite the lost sparks that were once there, in our mutual search for that seemingly elusive peace in our land.Today's challenges , no doubt, are daunting. Consider the following stark realities:
* 40 years of conflict;
* Filipinos fighting Filipinos;
*about 40 rounds of "off and on" peace talks;
* around 15 deadlocks
* last peace talks 5 years ago
* Spanning six ( 6) presidencies
I was a young Davao congressman then when I first joined the fray as Panel Adviser representing the House of Representatives. I and Secretary Bebot Bello were 30 years younger then and I am amazed that we are still here today! I still see old timers here on our side of the table like former PAPP Rene Sarmiento, former Sec Nani Braganza, including Secretariat chief Carla Munsayac, Atty Sedfrey Candelaria, among others. And as I scan across the other side of the table, I still see the same still familiar looking faces, Joma Sison, Louie Jalandoni, Fidel Agcaoili, Coni Ledesma, Julie de Lima , Asterio Palima , Ka Satur Ocampo and others.
We all went through several breakdown of talks. We stumbled due to "preconditions", so-called "hardline non- negotiable positions", the ghost of the now obsolete " status of belligerency" rearing it's ugly head from time to time. There were many more of these obstacles.
We have long worked together and we hope to learn from the lessons of the immediate past.
So, why are we still here today doing the same things as before and hoping to find better results this time than before? I recall an interesting post at my Facebook account which defined " insanity" as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting and hoping that the results will be different at some other time.
Well, there's a new, refreshing element now in that illusive peace equation that has unexpectedly entered the scene. And this is the dawning of some new hope with the onset of the Duterte presidency. President Rodrigo Duterte has committed his presidency to bringing a definitive and final peace settlement to our troubled land. We who are in government are working now under his leadership and guidance to bring about this commonly shared dream.
The bold and historic recent release of detainees and the record-time, hastily-arranged foreign travel in so short period of time to enable them to participate in the peace negotiations is unprecedented. I never imagined this could ever happen before, including the spontaneous ceasefire declarations that we now see happening.
Yes, the Duterte presidency is the main and compelling reason why we are all still here, confidently inspired and full of spirit , still with fire in our belly to hopefully find new breakthroughs and milestones together.
Please allow me to also mention an important factor that impels us to continue our difficult task, the daunting challenges notwithstanding. Let me pay tribute to the strong support, patient and creative facilitation of the Royal Norwegian government - our virtual common umbilical cord that tightly connected us and kept us from walking away from the negotiating table during those trying times. Likewise, we also cite the support of the other foreign governments and the donor community and we call on them to continue being with us in our peace journey.
We can all see now that there is renewed and fresh euphoria in the air. Our coming together starting today should be not in the context of out-witting or out-maneuvering each other across the table. Neither is this a joust of one side unduly gaining strategic advantage over the other.
But this should be more of a coming together of Filipinos interested to see changes in the land-- in our land, to be shared for and by all. If we can, let's no longer call our engagements as negotiations but instead a shared national "conversation" a " dialogue" where we find together common grounds, bridge the divides and seek common dreams to share.
But this peace journey is not on well-paved and concrete road. There will expectedly be humps and bumps along the way. The road to peace is not easy and rosy, considering the long history of animosity, suspicion and armed conflict that troubled our land.
Hopefully all this now belong to yesterday. Today is the dawning of another day.
As I always say: Let's all stay the course! No matter what!!
Who knows. This may perhaps be our last chance in our own lifetime to make this shared dream come true.
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/cpp-npa-ndf/news/dawn-new-day-lets-stay-course
OPAPP: Peace is the task at hand: Opening Statement by Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III
From the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) (Aug 22): Peace is the task at hand: Opening Statement by Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III
Opening Statement
Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III
Designated Chairman, GPH Panel for Peace Negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF
22 August 2016, Oslo, Norway
Peace is the task at hand
After almost half a decade of impasse in the formal peace negotiations, we have once more come together today, to heed the call of our people for peace. No less than President Duterte has renewed our optimism in resuming the negotiations by bequeathing upon himself the weight of searching for peace with his declaration and I quote “the primary work of the president is to make peace with every group” end of quote.
Together with the presidential adviser on the peace process, secretary Jesus Dureza, therefore, i am honored to chair, for the second time, the GPH negotiating panel composed of committed peace workers, most of them are already known to our NDF counterpart as they are former members of the government panel - namely, former COMELEC commissioner Rene Sarmiento who negotiated and signed with me in 1998 the comprehensive agreement on respect for human rights and international humanitarian law or CARHRIHL, and former agrarian reform secretary Nani Braganza who chaired our previous reciprocal working committee on social and economic reforms, and Atty. Angela Librado- Trinidad and Atty. Antonio Arellano who are staunch advocates for reforms.
The road to peace is long and oftentimes tumultuous, but nonetheless the only virtuous way. It is not surprising, therefore, that our negotiations in the past decades have been difficult to the point of seemingly immovable discussions. We spent more time on procedures rather than on the substantive agenda before us. At times, our negotiations were more focused on what divided us rather than exploring possible common ground. Many times, both parties preferred to “walk away” than to find a way forward. Despite these difficulties, however, we always find our way back to the negotiating table.
We can draw lessons from these experiences that should keep us going until we responsibly answer the call of our people for peace. One, there is no giving up in peace work and peace making knows no limit. Two, we can never have a peace agreement if we do not talk. And lastly, it will take more than one party to make peace.
Both parties have complied with the first two lessons by coming here and resuming the stalled peace negotiations. Government is committed to the process as what President Duterte declared “we have done what it takes to re-open the negotiations and i am willing to walk an extra mile to achieve peace”. What remains to be accomplished for both of us, therefore, is to complete the negotiations.
I have high hopes that our discussion for the following days will be cordial and frank, but nevertheless exacting for our tasks at hand. I expect, however, that the parties are mindful of the correctness of our language in the discussion to ensure that we can implement any agreement we reached. I borrow the counsel of Confucius with regard to talking with correctness, and i quote “if language is not correct, then what is said is not what is meant. And if what is said is not what is meant, then what ought to be done remains undone” end of quote.
In closing, may I also deeply acknowledge the unwavering support to our peace process of the royal Norwegian government, through Norwegian foreign minister Borge Brenden whose presence today is inspiring. The coming together of the negotiating parties to renew the peace process would not have been realized without the able facilitation and the dis-arming charm of Ambassador Elizabeth Slattum.
Thank you. Let us start the work at hand. Peace to all of us.
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/cpp-npa-ndf/news/peace-task-hand
Opening Statement
Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III
Designated Chairman, GPH Panel for Peace Negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF
22 August 2016, Oslo, Norway
Peace is the task at hand
After almost half a decade of impasse in the formal peace negotiations, we have once more come together today, to heed the call of our people for peace. No less than President Duterte has renewed our optimism in resuming the negotiations by bequeathing upon himself the weight of searching for peace with his declaration and I quote “the primary work of the president is to make peace with every group” end of quote.
Together with the presidential adviser on the peace process, secretary Jesus Dureza, therefore, i am honored to chair, for the second time, the GPH negotiating panel composed of committed peace workers, most of them are already known to our NDF counterpart as they are former members of the government panel - namely, former COMELEC commissioner Rene Sarmiento who negotiated and signed with me in 1998 the comprehensive agreement on respect for human rights and international humanitarian law or CARHRIHL, and former agrarian reform secretary Nani Braganza who chaired our previous reciprocal working committee on social and economic reforms, and Atty. Angela Librado- Trinidad and Atty. Antonio Arellano who are staunch advocates for reforms.
The road to peace is long and oftentimes tumultuous, but nonetheless the only virtuous way. It is not surprising, therefore, that our negotiations in the past decades have been difficult to the point of seemingly immovable discussions. We spent more time on procedures rather than on the substantive agenda before us. At times, our negotiations were more focused on what divided us rather than exploring possible common ground. Many times, both parties preferred to “walk away” than to find a way forward. Despite these difficulties, however, we always find our way back to the negotiating table.
We can draw lessons from these experiences that should keep us going until we responsibly answer the call of our people for peace. One, there is no giving up in peace work and peace making knows no limit. Two, we can never have a peace agreement if we do not talk. And lastly, it will take more than one party to make peace.
Both parties have complied with the first two lessons by coming here and resuming the stalled peace negotiations. Government is committed to the process as what President Duterte declared “we have done what it takes to re-open the negotiations and i am willing to walk an extra mile to achieve peace”. What remains to be accomplished for both of us, therefore, is to complete the negotiations.
I have high hopes that our discussion for the following days will be cordial and frank, but nevertheless exacting for our tasks at hand. I expect, however, that the parties are mindful of the correctness of our language in the discussion to ensure that we can implement any agreement we reached. I borrow the counsel of Confucius with regard to talking with correctness, and i quote “if language is not correct, then what is said is not what is meant. And if what is said is not what is meant, then what ought to be done remains undone” end of quote.
In closing, may I also deeply acknowledge the unwavering support to our peace process of the royal Norwegian government, through Norwegian foreign minister Borge Brenden whose presence today is inspiring. The coming together of the negotiating parties to renew the peace process would not have been realized without the able facilitation and the dis-arming charm of Ambassador Elizabeth Slattum.
Thank you. Let us start the work at hand. Peace to all of us.
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/cpp-npa-ndf/news/peace-task-hand
NDF: Peace talks resume in Oslo
Propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Aug 22): Peace talks resume in Oslo
OSLO, Norway – The much-awaited resumption of the peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) has finally taken place on August 22, 2016 in Oslo, Norway with the opening ceremonies at the Nobel Hall of the Holmenkollen Park Hotel.
The opening ceremonies started with the short introductory speech of Special Ambassador to the Philippine Peace Process Elisabeth Slattum welcoming the two delegations and expressing the hope that the resumption will set a strong foundation for the negotiations ahead. She then gave the floor to Norwegian Foreign Minister Boerge Brende who welcomed the two delegations on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) that has been acting as facilitator in the peace negotiations.
In his speech, he noted that the armed conflict between the GPH and NDFP has been one of the longest-running armed conflicts in the world. He said that the negotiations will be difficult and will take time.
He reiterated the commitment of the Royal Norwegian Government to give its full support to the peace negotiations and expressed the hope that the two parties will succeed in tackling the substantive issues and arrive at important agreements.
Then Sec. Jesus G. Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process representing the GPH principal President Rodrigo Duterte, and Prof. Jose Maria Sison, NDFP Chief Political Consultant representing the NDFP principal Mariano Orosa gave their opening statements.
In his speech, Dureza noted the fact that the Philippine conflict has gone on for more than forty years and negotiations for more than 30 years. It is time to end the conflict.
There is a new element that has emerged that gives hope for the success of the present round of talks. That new element is the Duterte presidency.
Sison thanked the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) for having served as third party facilitator of the GPH-NDFP peace negotiations since 2001 and for having helped in a big way to keep the peace process alive.
He said that “the NDFP is optimistic that objective conditions and subjective factors in the Philippines are more favorable than ever before for carrying forward the peace negotiations and reaching the ultimate goal of a just and lasting peace through basic social, economic and political reforms.”
He further said that President Duterte won the presidency of his government on the promise of fundamental changes.
“For the first time in the history of the Philippines, a president has emerged by denouncing the abuses of the oligarchy and the folly of servility to foreign powers and by using street language and methods of the mass movement. He is proud to describe himself as the first Left president and as a socialist, willing to seek common ground and cooperation with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.”
Sison stressed that the “CPP, NPA and NDFP are ever willing to cooperate with the Duterte government in pursuing the just cause of national and social liberation against foreign and feudal domination…There are great possibilities for the benefit of the people which can be charted and blueprinted by the comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms.”
He said that such reforms would “involve the assertion of national sovereignty and territorial integrity and the abrogation of unequal treaties and agreements; the democratic empowerment of the working people, social justice, economic development through national industrialization and land reform; expanded free public education, a patriotic and progressive kind of culture; international solidarity of all peoples and trade and diplomatic relations with all countries.
“It is not enough to seek the end of hostilities. A just peace must be founded on and sustained by reforms that lift the people from the morass of underdevelopment, social injustice and poverty. In striving for such reforms, we can have truce and cooperation and form a government of national unity, peace and development.”
He ended on an optimistic note saying, “I am confident that the GPH and NDFP negotiating panels will achieve significant success at this resumption of formal talks and will steadily proceed to the ultimate success of the entire peace negotiations.”
This was followed by the opening statements of the heads of the two negotiating Panels Sec. Silvestre H. Bello III for the GPH and Luis G. Jalandoni for the NDFP.
Bello welcomed the resumption of the formal talks after a long hiatus. He noted the fact that the talks have gone on for decades without arriving at a final agreement. He expressed hope that this time it would be different. He stressed the commitment of President to achieve peace under his watch.
Jalandoni said that the NDFP was confident that both negotiating panels, consultants and staff, will be able to take up the agenda agreed upon on the June 15 Joint Statement signed in Oslo. He enumerated following agenda points for the coming five days: 1. Reaffirmation of previous peace agreements; 2. Reconstitution of the list of personnel covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees; 3. Acceleration of peace talks on social and economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, and end of hostilities and disposition of forces; 4. Amnesty Declaration for the release of all detained political prisoners; and 5. Mode of interim ceasefire.
As part of confidence building, he pointed to the agreement stated in the Joint Statement of June 15 regarding the release on humanitarian grounds of the sick and elderly, overly long detained, and women political prisoners and an amnesty proclamation to release all political prisoners being held in GPH jails. It would give an incentive to the revolutionary forces to enter into a ceasefire agreement with the GPH.
On the subject of ceasefire which is another major point of the agenda, Jalandoni said that careful study and discussions are needed to make sure that clear premises, terms and mechanisms are agreed upon in order for the ceasefire to be more stable, less prone to violations and less vulnerable to actual occurrences and allegations of ceasefire violations.
He said that an indefinite and prolonged ceasefire, could amount to capitulation and mere pacification, if there were no substantive incentives for the revolutionary movement and assurance of success in forging satisfactory agreements on social, economic and political reforms.
He likewise ended on a positive note saying: “With the commitment for just and lasting peace, declared by GPH President Rodrigo Duterte and the leadership of the NDFP, Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army, we are confident we can decisively move forward towards achieving a just and lasting peace.
The Filipino people, our Third Party Facilitator, our peace advocates in the Philippines and abroad, are one with us in aspiring for meaningful reforms like land reform and national industrialization, political and constitutional reforms that will strengthen our independence and national sovereignty, negotiate the end of hostilities, and attain a just and lasting peace.”
A delegation from Migrante International Europe presented to the two negotiating panels a document Agenda of Filipinos in Europe containing the issues dear to the hearts of Filipino migrants. Filipino migrants now number more than 10 million in different parts of the world and their remittances have played a big role in keeping the Philippine economy afloat. The Migante delegation expressed the hope that the two sides will find time and space for their issues in the peace negotiations.
(Full texts of the speeches of Joma Sison and Louie Jalandoni are attached.)
NDFP Media Group
Reference:
Dan Borjal
email: dfborjal@gmail.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/dfborjal
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dborjal
http://www.ndfp.org/peace-talks-resume-oslo/
OSLO, Norway – The much-awaited resumption of the peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) has finally taken place on August 22, 2016 in Oslo, Norway with the opening ceremonies at the Nobel Hall of the Holmenkollen Park Hotel.
RNG Special Ambassador to the Philippine Peace Process Elisabeth Slattum
The opening ceremonies started with the short introductory speech of Special Ambassador to the Philippine Peace Process Elisabeth Slattum welcoming the two delegations and expressing the hope that the resumption will set a strong foundation for the negotiations ahead. She then gave the floor to Norwegian Foreign Minister Boerge Brende who welcomed the two delegations on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) that has been acting as facilitator in the peace negotiations.
In his speech, he noted that the armed conflict between the GPH and NDFP has been one of the longest-running armed conflicts in the world. He said that the negotiations will be difficult and will take time.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Boerge Brende
He reiterated the commitment of the Royal Norwegian Government to give its full support to the peace negotiations and expressed the hope that the two parties will succeed in tackling the substantive issues and arrive at important agreements.
Then Sec. Jesus G. Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process representing the GPH principal President Rodrigo Duterte, and Prof. Jose Maria Sison, NDFP Chief Political Consultant representing the NDFP principal Mariano Orosa gave their opening statements.
Sec. Jesus G. Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
In his speech, Dureza noted the fact that the Philippine conflict has gone on for more than forty years and negotiations for more than 30 years. It is time to end the conflict.
There is a new element that has emerged that gives hope for the success of the present round of talks. That new element is the Duterte presidency.
Sison thanked the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) for having served as third party facilitator of the GPH-NDFP peace negotiations since 2001 and for having helped in a big way to keep the peace process alive.
He said that “the NDFP is optimistic that objective conditions and subjective factors in the Philippines are more favorable than ever before for carrying forward the peace negotiations and reaching the ultimate goal of a just and lasting peace through basic social, economic and political reforms.”
He further said that President Duterte won the presidency of his government on the promise of fundamental changes.
Prof. Jose Maria Sison, NDFP Chief Political Consultant
“For the first time in the history of the Philippines, a president has emerged by denouncing the abuses of the oligarchy and the folly of servility to foreign powers and by using street language and methods of the mass movement. He is proud to describe himself as the first Left president and as a socialist, willing to seek common ground and cooperation with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.”
Sison stressed that the “CPP, NPA and NDFP are ever willing to cooperate with the Duterte government in pursuing the just cause of national and social liberation against foreign and feudal domination…There are great possibilities for the benefit of the people which can be charted and blueprinted by the comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms.”
He said that such reforms would “involve the assertion of national sovereignty and territorial integrity and the abrogation of unequal treaties and agreements; the democratic empowerment of the working people, social justice, economic development through national industrialization and land reform; expanded free public education, a patriotic and progressive kind of culture; international solidarity of all peoples and trade and diplomatic relations with all countries.
“It is not enough to seek the end of hostilities. A just peace must be founded on and sustained by reforms that lift the people from the morass of underdevelopment, social injustice and poverty. In striving for such reforms, we can have truce and cooperation and form a government of national unity, peace and development.”
He ended on an optimistic note saying, “I am confident that the GPH and NDFP negotiating panels will achieve significant success at this resumption of formal talks and will steadily proceed to the ultimate success of the entire peace negotiations.”
This was followed by the opening statements of the heads of the two negotiating Panels Sec. Silvestre H. Bello III for the GPH and Luis G. Jalandoni for the NDFP.
Sec. Silvestre H. Bello III, head GRP negotiating panel
Bello welcomed the resumption of the formal talks after a long hiatus. He noted the fact that the talks have gone on for decades without arriving at a final agreement. He expressed hope that this time it would be different. He stressed the commitment of President to achieve peace under his watch.
Jalandoni said that the NDFP was confident that both negotiating panels, consultants and staff, will be able to take up the agenda agreed upon on the June 15 Joint Statement signed in Oslo. He enumerated following agenda points for the coming five days: 1. Reaffirmation of previous peace agreements; 2. Reconstitution of the list of personnel covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees; 3. Acceleration of peace talks on social and economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, and end of hostilities and disposition of forces; 4. Amnesty Declaration for the release of all detained political prisoners; and 5. Mode of interim ceasefire.
As part of confidence building, he pointed to the agreement stated in the Joint Statement of June 15 regarding the release on humanitarian grounds of the sick and elderly, overly long detained, and women political prisoners and an amnesty proclamation to release all political prisoners being held in GPH jails. It would give an incentive to the revolutionary forces to enter into a ceasefire agreement with the GPH.
On the subject of ceasefire which is another major point of the agenda, Jalandoni said that careful study and discussions are needed to make sure that clear premises, terms and mechanisms are agreed upon in order for the ceasefire to be more stable, less prone to violations and less vulnerable to actual occurrences and allegations of ceasefire violations.
He said that an indefinite and prolonged ceasefire, could amount to capitulation and mere pacification, if there were no substantive incentives for the revolutionary movement and assurance of success in forging satisfactory agreements on social, economic and political reforms.
He likewise ended on a positive note saying: “With the commitment for just and lasting peace, declared by GPH President Rodrigo Duterte and the leadership of the NDFP, Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army, we are confident we can decisively move forward towards achieving a just and lasting peace.
The Filipino people, our Third Party Facilitator, our peace advocates in the Philippines and abroad, are one with us in aspiring for meaningful reforms like land reform and national industrialization, political and constitutional reforms that will strengthen our independence and national sovereignty, negotiate the end of hostilities, and attain a just and lasting peace.”
Migrante International Europe delegation
A delegation from Migrante International Europe presented to the two negotiating panels a document Agenda of Filipinos in Europe containing the issues dear to the hearts of Filipino migrants. Filipino migrants now number more than 10 million in different parts of the world and their remittances have played a big role in keeping the Philippine economy afloat. The Migante delegation expressed the hope that the two sides will find time and space for their issues in the peace negotiations.
(Full texts of the speeches of Joma Sison and Louie Jalandoni are attached.)
NDFP Media Group
Reference:
Dan Borjal
email: dfborjal@gmail.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/dfborjal
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dborjal
http://www.ndfp.org/peace-talks-resume-oslo/
NDF: Opening statement on the resumption of formal peace talks
Propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Aug 22): Opening statement on the resumption of formal peace talks
by LUIS G. JALANDONI,
Chairperson, Negotiating Panel
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
August 22, 2016
Hon. Foreign Minister of the Royal Norwegian Government, Borge Brende, Hon. State Secretary Tore Hattrem, Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process, Elisabeth Slattum, Hon. Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Hon. Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, Compatriots and Friends,
We in the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Negotiating Panel, Consultants and Staff, warmly greet and convey our heartfelt thanks to the Royal Norwegian Government for its determined and painstaking efforts as Third Party Facilitator since 2001 in patiently and efficiently working to move the peace process forward.
Their unwavering assistance and support, and the uniquely significant commitment of GPH President Duterte to push ahead the peace negotiations to address the roots of the armed conflict in order to achieve a just and lasting peace, with the tremendous efforts of our dedicated staff of lawyers and other committed organizations, have brought us to this point of high expectations for the success of our endeavors to achieve a just peace.
It is our unique privilege that in this session, our newly released NDFP consultants are present. Surely, their long standing dedication to serve the people and their rich experience will be a major contribution to these peace negotiations and give a decidedly significant push to achieve our goals in attaining a just and lasting peace.
May I introduce our Negotiating Panel: Vice-Chairperson of our Panel is Fidel Agcaoili, also the Chairperson of our Monitoring Committee under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), Julieta de Lima, Chairperson of our Reciprocal Committee on Social and Economic Reforms, Coni Ledesma, Member of the Monitoring Committee and Chairperson of the NDFP Special Office for the Protection of Children, and Asterio Palima, our representative for the Nordic countries. Of course, all of you know, Prof. Jose Maria Sison, Founding Chairperson of the Communist Party of the Philippines and NDFP Chief Political Consultant. We have a further array of consultants, lawyers, and staff whom you shall surely get to know in the following days.
We are confident that both our negotiating panels, consultants and staff, will be able to take up the agenda we both agreed upon on our June 15 Joint Statement signed here in Oslo. We shall take up the following agenda points in the coming five days:
1. Reaffirmation of previous peace agreements;
2. Reconstitution of the list of personnel covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety
and Immunity Guarantees;
3. Acceleration of peace talks on social and economic reforms, political and constitutional
reforms, and end of hostilities and disposition of forces;
4. Amnesty Declaration for the release of all detained political prisoners; and
5. Mode of interim ceasefire
We shall once more take a point stated in our Joint Statement of June 15, namely, the release on humanitarian grounds of the sick and elderly, overly long detained, and women political prisoners.
More importantly, we expect the realization of the amnesty proclamation to release all political prisoners as a necessary incentive for the ceasefire between the two parties. Our constituency demand that there ought to be a substantive reason for the high risk of agreeing to an indefinite and prolonged ceasefire, which could amount to capitulation and mere pacification, without substantive incentives for the revolutionary movement and without assurance of success in forging satisfactory agreements on social, economic and political reforms.
Whatever is the mode of ceasefire for a start or in the long run, there must be clear premises, terms and mechanisms so that the ceasefire can be more stable, less prone to violations and less vulnerable to actual occurrences and allegations of ceasefire violations. At the same time, the ceasefire should promote the advance of substantive negotiations and agreements and not deter or delay the peace process. The two panels must discuss fully the subject of ceasefire before further work is assigned to the respective ceasefire committees of the GPH and NDFP.
With the commitment for just and lasting peace, declared by GPH President Rodrigo Duterte and the leadership of the NDFP, Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army, we are confident we can decisively move forward towards achieving a just and lasting peace. The Filipino people, our Third Party Facilitator, our peace advocates in the Philippines and abroad, are one with us in aspiring for meaningful reforms like land reform and national industrialization, political and constitutional reforms that will strengthen our independence and national sovereignty, negotiate the end of hostilities, and attain a just and lasting peace.
Thank you very much!
http://www.ndfp.org/opening-statement-resumption-formal-peace-talks/
by LUIS G. JALANDONI,
Chairperson, Negotiating Panel
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
August 22, 2016
Hon. Foreign Minister of the Royal Norwegian Government, Borge Brende, Hon. State Secretary Tore Hattrem, Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process, Elisabeth Slattum, Hon. Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Hon. Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, Compatriots and Friends,
We in the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Negotiating Panel, Consultants and Staff, warmly greet and convey our heartfelt thanks to the Royal Norwegian Government for its determined and painstaking efforts as Third Party Facilitator since 2001 in patiently and efficiently working to move the peace process forward.
Their unwavering assistance and support, and the uniquely significant commitment of GPH President Duterte to push ahead the peace negotiations to address the roots of the armed conflict in order to achieve a just and lasting peace, with the tremendous efforts of our dedicated staff of lawyers and other committed organizations, have brought us to this point of high expectations for the success of our endeavors to achieve a just peace.
It is our unique privilege that in this session, our newly released NDFP consultants are present. Surely, their long standing dedication to serve the people and their rich experience will be a major contribution to these peace negotiations and give a decidedly significant push to achieve our goals in attaining a just and lasting peace.
May I introduce our Negotiating Panel: Vice-Chairperson of our Panel is Fidel Agcaoili, also the Chairperson of our Monitoring Committee under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), Julieta de Lima, Chairperson of our Reciprocal Committee on Social and Economic Reforms, Coni Ledesma, Member of the Monitoring Committee and Chairperson of the NDFP Special Office for the Protection of Children, and Asterio Palima, our representative for the Nordic countries. Of course, all of you know, Prof. Jose Maria Sison, Founding Chairperson of the Communist Party of the Philippines and NDFP Chief Political Consultant. We have a further array of consultants, lawyers, and staff whom you shall surely get to know in the following days.
We are confident that both our negotiating panels, consultants and staff, will be able to take up the agenda we both agreed upon on our June 15 Joint Statement signed here in Oslo. We shall take up the following agenda points in the coming five days:
1. Reaffirmation of previous peace agreements;
2. Reconstitution of the list of personnel covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety
and Immunity Guarantees;
3. Acceleration of peace talks on social and economic reforms, political and constitutional
reforms, and end of hostilities and disposition of forces;
4. Amnesty Declaration for the release of all detained political prisoners; and
5. Mode of interim ceasefire
We shall once more take a point stated in our Joint Statement of June 15, namely, the release on humanitarian grounds of the sick and elderly, overly long detained, and women political prisoners.
More importantly, we expect the realization of the amnesty proclamation to release all political prisoners as a necessary incentive for the ceasefire between the two parties. Our constituency demand that there ought to be a substantive reason for the high risk of agreeing to an indefinite and prolonged ceasefire, which could amount to capitulation and mere pacification, without substantive incentives for the revolutionary movement and without assurance of success in forging satisfactory agreements on social, economic and political reforms.
Whatever is the mode of ceasefire for a start or in the long run, there must be clear premises, terms and mechanisms so that the ceasefire can be more stable, less prone to violations and less vulnerable to actual occurrences and allegations of ceasefire violations. At the same time, the ceasefire should promote the advance of substantive negotiations and agreements and not deter or delay the peace process. The two panels must discuss fully the subject of ceasefire before further work is assigned to the respective ceasefire committees of the GPH and NDFP.
With the commitment for just and lasting peace, declared by GPH President Rodrigo Duterte and the leadership of the NDFP, Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army, we are confident we can decisively move forward towards achieving a just and lasting peace. The Filipino people, our Third Party Facilitator, our peace advocates in the Philippines and abroad, are one with us in aspiring for meaningful reforms like land reform and national industrialization, political and constitutional reforms that will strengthen our independence and national sovereignty, negotiate the end of hostilities, and attain a just and lasting peace.
Thank you very much!
http://www.ndfp.org/opening-statement-resumption-formal-peace-talks/
NDF: Remarks at the opening ceremony of the resumption of formal talks in the GPH-NDFP peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway, August 22, 2015
Remarks at the opening ceremony of the resumption of formal talks in the GPH-NDFP peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway, August 22, 2015
By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Founding Chairman, Communist Party of the Philippines
and Chief Political Consultant, National Democratic of the Philippines
Hon. Foreign Minister of the Royal Norwegian Government Borge Brende
Hon. State Secretary Tore Hattrem
Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process, Ambassador Elisabeth Slattum,
Hon. Jesus Dureza Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Hon. Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Chairperson of the GPH Negotiating Panel
Luis Jalandoni Chairperson of the NDFP Negotiating Panel
All compatriots in the GPH and NDFP Delegations
Distinguished Guests and Friends,
It is a great honor and privilege to speak at this solemn opening ceremony of the resumption of formal talks between the Negotiating Panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). The Filipino people rejoice over this signal event and the bright prospects of a just and lasting peace in the horizon.
I share with the Filipino people and the revolutionary forces a deep sense of gratitude to the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) for having served as Third Party Facilitator of the GPH-NDFP peace negotiations since 2001 and for having helped in a big way to keep the peace process alive. We have always appreciated highly the patience, kindness and wisdom of the Norwegian government and people in encouraging and supporting the process.
We in the NDFP are optimistic that objective conditions and subjective factors in the Philippines are more favorable than ever before for carrying forward the peace negotiations from one comprehensive agreement to another and reaching the ultimate goal of a just and lasting peace through basic social, economic and political reforms.
The chronic crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system has aggravated and deepened. The big compradors, landlords and corrupt bureaucrats have become more oppressive and exploitative in the context of unbridled greed under the neoliberal regime of global capitalism. The broad masses of the people are fed up with the rotten system. They are desirous of revolutionary change. They look forward to the possibility of change through fundamental reforms through the peace negotiations.
President Duterte won the presidency of his government on the promise of fundamental changes. For the first time in the history of the Philippines, a president has emerged by denouncing the abuses of the oligarchy and the folly of servility to foreign powers and by using street language and methods of the mass movement. He is proud to describe himself as the first Left president and as a socialist, willing to seek common ground and cooperation with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
The CPP, NPA and NDFP are ever willing to cooperate with the Duterte government in pursuing the just cause of national and social liberation against foreign and feudal domination. They have an ever growing revolutionary strength which can combine with a patriotic and progressive kind of government to fight for the national and democratic rights of the Filipino people. There are great possibilities for the benefit of the people which can be charted and blueprinted by the comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms.
Even as President Duterte has shifted from expressing a desire for a coalition government with the CPP to fa preference for an inclusive government of the Left, Middle and Right, he offers more hope for the advance and success of the peace negotiations than previous presidents and regimes. After all, the people and the revolutionary forces can benefit from bourgeois democratic reforms in the next six years. The expressed socialist aspirations of President Duterte can be accomplished only if preceded by such reforms.
What do we mean by bourgeois democratic reforms? These involve the assertion of national sovereignty and territorial integrity and the abrogation of unequal treaties and agreements; the democratic empowerment of the working people, social justice, economic development through national industrialization and land reform; expanded free public education, a patriotic and progressive kind of culture; international solidarity of all peoples and trade and diplomatic relations with all countries.
Having mentioned all these as the essential content of reforms, we can say that it is necessary and possible for the negotiating parties to forge comprehensive agreements that lay the basis of a just and lasting peace. It is not enough to seek the end of hostilities. A just peace must be founded on and sustained by reforms that lift the people from the morass of underdevelopment, social injustice and poverty. In striving for such reforms, we can have truce and cooperation and form a government of national unity, peace and development.
President Duterte has shown magnanimity and generosity by promising the amnesty and release of all political prisoners upon the start of ceasefire, by offering cabinet posts to the Communist Party and agreeing to give such posts to highly qualified progressives and by agreeing to release political prisoners in accordance with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) as well as on humanitarian grounds.
We have in our midst today the NDFP consultants who were imprisoned in violation of the JASIG and CARHRIHL. They have been released in accordance with the JASIG to enable them to participate in the formal peace talks. They are deeply committed and highly qualified. They can contribute greatly to the advance of the peace process. Let us give them a round of applause.
I am proud to say that President Duterte was my student in political science at the Lyceum of the Philippines when I was still a young professorial lecturer. He became a member of the Kabataang Makabayan of which I was the national chairman. This youth organization vowed to continue the unfinished revolution that was started by Andres Bonifacio. This meant upholding, defending and advancing the national and democratic rights of the Filipino people.
As a public official in Davao City, he knew how to cooperate with the revolutionary forces and act as member or supporter of legal patriotic and patriotic forces like BAYAN and Partido ng Bayan. This is a president who can understand and appreciate the principles and program of the national democratic movement and knows how to forge a just and lasting peace by addressing the roots of the civil war and satisfying the just demands of the people.
Why do I talk so long in praise of the principal of Secretary Dureza and the GPH negotiating panel? It is to express goodwill, show rapport and indicate that the two negotiating panels have a good basis for making the current formal talks successful and for bringing the entire process to a successful conclusion.
In conclusion, I wish to point out that President Duterte has done well in choosing an experienced and capable peace advisor and in composing his negotiating panel with patriotic and capable persons who have played significant roles in the past in forging agreements with the NDFP and have participated in the people’s struggle for national independence and democracy. I am confident that the GPH and NDFP negotiating panels will achieve significant success at this resumption of formal talks and will steadily proceed to the ultimate success of the entire peace negotiations. Thank you.
http://www.ndfp.org/remarks-opening-ceremony-resumption-formal-talks-gph-ndfp-peace-negotiations-oslo-norway-august-22-2015/
By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Founding Chairman, Communist Party of the Philippines
and Chief Political Consultant, National Democratic of the Philippines
Hon. Foreign Minister of the Royal Norwegian Government Borge Brende
Hon. State Secretary Tore Hattrem
Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process, Ambassador Elisabeth Slattum,
Hon. Jesus Dureza Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Hon. Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Chairperson of the GPH Negotiating Panel
Luis Jalandoni Chairperson of the NDFP Negotiating Panel
All compatriots in the GPH and NDFP Delegations
Distinguished Guests and Friends,
It is a great honor and privilege to speak at this solemn opening ceremony of the resumption of formal talks between the Negotiating Panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). The Filipino people rejoice over this signal event and the bright prospects of a just and lasting peace in the horizon.
I share with the Filipino people and the revolutionary forces a deep sense of gratitude to the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) for having served as Third Party Facilitator of the GPH-NDFP peace negotiations since 2001 and for having helped in a big way to keep the peace process alive. We have always appreciated highly the patience, kindness and wisdom of the Norwegian government and people in encouraging and supporting the process.
We in the NDFP are optimistic that objective conditions and subjective factors in the Philippines are more favorable than ever before for carrying forward the peace negotiations from one comprehensive agreement to another and reaching the ultimate goal of a just and lasting peace through basic social, economic and political reforms.
The chronic crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system has aggravated and deepened. The big compradors, landlords and corrupt bureaucrats have become more oppressive and exploitative in the context of unbridled greed under the neoliberal regime of global capitalism. The broad masses of the people are fed up with the rotten system. They are desirous of revolutionary change. They look forward to the possibility of change through fundamental reforms through the peace negotiations.
President Duterte won the presidency of his government on the promise of fundamental changes. For the first time in the history of the Philippines, a president has emerged by denouncing the abuses of the oligarchy and the folly of servility to foreign powers and by using street language and methods of the mass movement. He is proud to describe himself as the first Left president and as a socialist, willing to seek common ground and cooperation with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
The CPP, NPA and NDFP are ever willing to cooperate with the Duterte government in pursuing the just cause of national and social liberation against foreign and feudal domination. They have an ever growing revolutionary strength which can combine with a patriotic and progressive kind of government to fight for the national and democratic rights of the Filipino people. There are great possibilities for the benefit of the people which can be charted and blueprinted by the comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms.
Even as President Duterte has shifted from expressing a desire for a coalition government with the CPP to fa preference for an inclusive government of the Left, Middle and Right, he offers more hope for the advance and success of the peace negotiations than previous presidents and regimes. After all, the people and the revolutionary forces can benefit from bourgeois democratic reforms in the next six years. The expressed socialist aspirations of President Duterte can be accomplished only if preceded by such reforms.
What do we mean by bourgeois democratic reforms? These involve the assertion of national sovereignty and territorial integrity and the abrogation of unequal treaties and agreements; the democratic empowerment of the working people, social justice, economic development through national industrialization and land reform; expanded free public education, a patriotic and progressive kind of culture; international solidarity of all peoples and trade and diplomatic relations with all countries.
Having mentioned all these as the essential content of reforms, we can say that it is necessary and possible for the negotiating parties to forge comprehensive agreements that lay the basis of a just and lasting peace. It is not enough to seek the end of hostilities. A just peace must be founded on and sustained by reforms that lift the people from the morass of underdevelopment, social injustice and poverty. In striving for such reforms, we can have truce and cooperation and form a government of national unity, peace and development.
President Duterte has shown magnanimity and generosity by promising the amnesty and release of all political prisoners upon the start of ceasefire, by offering cabinet posts to the Communist Party and agreeing to give such posts to highly qualified progressives and by agreeing to release political prisoners in accordance with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) as well as on humanitarian grounds.
We have in our midst today the NDFP consultants who were imprisoned in violation of the JASIG and CARHRIHL. They have been released in accordance with the JASIG to enable them to participate in the formal peace talks. They are deeply committed and highly qualified. They can contribute greatly to the advance of the peace process. Let us give them a round of applause.
I am proud to say that President Duterte was my student in political science at the Lyceum of the Philippines when I was still a young professorial lecturer. He became a member of the Kabataang Makabayan of which I was the national chairman. This youth organization vowed to continue the unfinished revolution that was started by Andres Bonifacio. This meant upholding, defending and advancing the national and democratic rights of the Filipino people.
As a public official in Davao City, he knew how to cooperate with the revolutionary forces and act as member or supporter of legal patriotic and patriotic forces like BAYAN and Partido ng Bayan. This is a president who can understand and appreciate the principles and program of the national democratic movement and knows how to forge a just and lasting peace by addressing the roots of the civil war and satisfying the just demands of the people.
Why do I talk so long in praise of the principal of Secretary Dureza and the GPH negotiating panel? It is to express goodwill, show rapport and indicate that the two negotiating panels have a good basis for making the current formal talks successful and for bringing the entire process to a successful conclusion.
In conclusion, I wish to point out that President Duterte has done well in choosing an experienced and capable peace advisor and in composing his negotiating panel with patriotic and capable persons who have played significant roles in the past in forging agreements with the NDFP and have participated in the people’s struggle for national independence and democracy. I am confident that the GPH and NDFP negotiating panels will achieve significant success at this resumption of formal talks and will steadily proceed to the ultimate success of the entire peace negotiations. Thank you.
http://www.ndfp.org/remarks-opening-ceremony-resumption-formal-talks-gph-ndfp-peace-negotiations-oslo-norway-august-22-2015/
PNP-12 under heightened alert after killing of 3 alleged ISIS sympathizers
From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 22): PNP-12 under heightened alert after killing of 3 alleged ISIS sympathizers
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=916020
The Police Regional Office (PRO)-12 has raised the security
alert in some parts of the region in the wake of the killing on Saturday of
three alleged sympathizers of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in an
encounter in Maasim town in Sarangani
Province
Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr., PRO-12 public information officer,
said Monday all police units in the region are currently under heightened alert
as they move to avert possible retaliatory attacks from local armed group Ansar
Al-Khilafah Philippines
The slain suspects have been tagged as members of the group,
which had pledged support to the ISIS .
He appealed to the public to be vigilant and immediately
report to authorities any suspicious activity that they might encounter.
“We are currently under heightened alert and our intensified
operations against the group are ongoing,” Galgo said.
The three suspects were killed in a clash with operatives
from the police Special Action Force at around 5 p.m. last Saturday at a
portion of Sitio Upper Lebe, Barangay Daliao in Maasim.
They were identified as Abu Sabana of Barangay Daliao in
Maasim; Jomar Harid of Colong Colong in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat; and, Arthur
Tagum of Lumatil in Maasim.
Recovered at the site were a carbine rifle, an M-79 grenade
launcher, a rifle scope, a black flag bearing an ISIS
logo and an empty shell of an M-203 rifle grenade.
Galgo said two of the slain suspects -- Harid and Tagum --
were allegedly involved in the grenade attack near the municipal police station
of Maasim last June 20 that killed a policeman and injured five others.
The police official said they have expanded their manhunt
operations against the other members and leaders of the Ansar Al-Khilafah,
especially its alleged founder Mohammad Jaafar S. Maguid alias “Tokboy.”
But he said police teams have been monitoring the movements
of Maguid, who is facing murder and multiple murder charges over a string of
terror attacks in the area in past years.
He said the group is highly mobile and had been constantly
moving from one place to another in portions of Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat
provinces.
In late April, two suspected members of the group were
killed in an encounter in an outskirt village in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.
“Rest assured that there will be no let-up in our operations
until we effectively dismantle this group,” Galgo added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=916020
KFRG member, drug personality fall in Zamboanga Sibugay
From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 22): KFRG member, drug personality fall in Zamboanga Sibugay
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=916081
Government authorities have arrested another
kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG) member and a notorious drug personality in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay
Senior Supt. Romulo Cleve Taboso, Zamboanga Sibugay police
director, identified the arrested KFRG member as Marjuk Dacula, of the Mamay
Aburi and Reming Sabtal KFRG based in Zamboanga Sibugay.
Taboso said Dacula was arrested by combined police and
military operatives in a law enforcement operation around 8 a.m. Sunday in
Barangay Silal, Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Taboso said Dacula has a standing warrant of arrest for
kidnapping with ransom issued by a court in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay province.
He said Dacula was involved in the kidnapping of Australian
Richard Rodwell in December 2011 in Barangay Pangi, Ipil and of Alexa Dela Cruz
in January 2014 in Barangay Kima, Payao.
He said that Dacula was also listed as number one in the
watch list of illegal drug personalities in Zamboanga Sibugay.
He added that the arrested suspect was primarily involved in
the sale and transport of illegal drugs in the municipalities of Payao, Siay,
Imelda, Kabasalan, Naga, and Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay province.
Dacula was arrested a day after Hasim Calon, alias Gingging
and Husien, fell into the hands of the government authorities.
Calon was arrested by combined police and military troops
around 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Barangay Tenan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay province.
Calon, like Dacula, has standing warrant of arrest for the
crime of kidnapping with ransom issued by the court in Ipil town.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=916081
Alleged resignation of 'progressive' members of Cabinet a "black propaganda" - Andanar
From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 22): Alleged resignation of 'progressive' members of Cabinet a "black propaganda" - Andanar
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday debunked a
message being circulated among the media supposedly about the resignation of
several members of the Cabinet belonging to the Makabayan bloc over the issues
of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) and the burial of former President Marcos at
the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
In its entirety, the message, which came from an anonymous
number, read:
Dear Editors,
DSWD sec Judy Taguiwalo, DAR sec Raphael Mariano, NAPC chair
Liza Maza and Labor Usec Joel Maglungsod will hold a press conference tomorrow,
Aug.23, 9 a.m. at Kamuning Bakery and Cafe re resignation from Duterte cabinet
in protest against extra judicial killings and Marcos burial.
Please send your reporter and photographer. We hope you can
make it!
In a text message to reporters, Andanar said that Taguiwalo
herself denied the reports.
He posted a response from Sec. Taguiwalo which said that the
said dispatch was “black propaganda.”
As of posting, both Taguiwalo and Mariano were present at
the state dining room at Malacañang for a scheduled Cabinet meeting with
President Rodrigo Duterte.
Meanwhile, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)
secretary-general Renato Reyes also said that there was no truth to the message
being circulated.
“Intriga lang yan. Walang katotohanan. At talagang sinadya
na sa araw na ito ipakalat ang rumors. Pakulo at intriga lang yan para malihis
ang pagbubukas ng peace talks. Wag na po nating patulan. Abala sa gawain at
paglilingkod ang mga kasama natin sa gabinete,” Reyes said.
NPA prepares release of Davao Oriental town cop
From the Mindanao Times (Aug 23): NPA prepares release of Davao Oriental town cop
THE NEW People’s Army in Southern Mindanao is already processing the release of Governor Generoso Municipal Police Station head, Chief Insp. Arnold S. Ongachen, who was abducted last May 29.
Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of NPA-SMR, said in a statement that Ongachen’s custodial unit has reported that preparations are underway for his safe and orderly release.
“Following the declaration of the unilateral ceasefire of the Central Committee of the CPP and the National Operations Command of the NPA and the reciprocation of the GPH of its own ceasefire, the custodial unit is nevertheless ready for any untoward event that may endanger Ongachen and the Red army’s safety,” Sanchez said.
He also said that Ongachen already admitted his guilt over his alleged drug links. He also allegedlly issued an apology to the public, President Duterte and the CPP-NPA-NDF.
Ongachen was abducted during the attack at the Governor Generoso Municipal Police Station last May 29. The attack resulted to wounding of PO3 Johnray Cinco.
The pending releases of Ongachen along with another prisoner of war PO1 Michael B. Grande were supposed to be a gesture of goodwill on the part of the revolutionary movement ahead of the peace talks.
“While we deem the recent release of the NDFP consultants a positive development, the remaining political prisoners all over the country should be released immediately and without condition by the Duterte government in compliance with the CARHRIHL.
These Red fighters, activists and civilians who were incarcerated on the ridiculous weight of trumped-up charges have suffered enough injustice under the fascist Arroyo and Aquino III regimes.”
Joma Sison, Tiamzons reunited after 30 years
From Rappler (Aug 22): Joma Sison, Tiamzons reunited after 30 years
It was back in 1986 when the top leaders of the communist movement last saw each other
HISTORIC. CPP top leaders Joma Sison and Benito Tiamzon meet again after 30 years.
After 30 long years and all the highs and lows of running a revolution, top communist leaders Jose Maria "Joma" Sison and Benito Tiamzon were reunited on Sunday, August 21, on the eve of the historic resumption of formal talks between the government and the guerrillas.
They are in the Norwegian capital for the peace negotations with the Duterte administration on Monday, August 22.
"Ako ay nagpapasalamat dahil hindi siya tumigil para kami ay makalabas (I am thankful that he did not stop until we were given freedom)," Tiamzon told reporters.
It was back in 1986 when the top leaders of the communist movement last saw each other
HISTORIC. CPP top leaders Joma Sison and Benito Tiamzon meet again after 30 years.
After 30 long years and all the highs and lows of running a revolution, top communist leaders Jose Maria "Joma" Sison and Benito Tiamzon were reunited on Sunday, August 21, on the eve of the historic resumption of formal talks between the government and the guerrillas.
They are in the Norwegian capital for the peace negotations with the Duterte administration on Monday, August 22.
"Ako ay nagpapasalamat dahil hindi siya tumigil para kami ay makalabas (I am thankful that he did not stop until we were given freedom)," Tiamzon told reporters.
Historic! Top CPP leaders Joma Sison, couple Benito & Wilma Tiamzon reunite in Oslo after 30 years @rapplerdotcom
"Masayang masaya kami nagkita kami sa laya. Kaming 3. Mabuhay! (We are very happy that we saw each other again – free. The 3 of us. Long live!)" said Wilma Tiamzon, wife of Benito and also a top leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
It was in 1986 when they last saw each other. "Noong kalalabas ko (When I was just released)," Sison recalled. Then President Corazon Aquino ordered the release of all political prisoners detained under the Marcos dictatorship. (READ: Benito Tiamzon: Writer, organizer, party man)
Sison has since lived in exile in the Netherlands. The Tiamzon couple went underground after the declaration of Martial Law in 1972 until they were arrested in 2015. They were given temporary freedom to participate in the peace talks. It is also the couple's first trip out of the Philippines.
It was straight to business after the historic reunion. The National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the communists' political arm, held an hours-long meeting on the eve of the resumption of talks. (READ: Fast facts: The CPP-NPA-NDF and the Oslo talks)
Rappler caught up with the jet-lagged couple after the meeting. "Inaantok pa (Still sleepy). But we are delighted with our freedom," Benito said. Repeated delays in their release made him doubt it would still happen, he added. (READ: Top NPA leaders go on 1st overseas trip for Oslo talks)
"We are in love with freedom and seeing comrades," Wilma Tiamzon added.
The couple said they're hoping that this week's talks would result in momentum to advance the peace process.
PH hopes for peace deal in a year as NDF talks resume
From Rappler (Aug 22): PH hopes for peace deal in a year as NDF talks resume
Formal negotations between the government and communist guerrillas resume after an impasse of 5 years
HIGH HOPES. Members of the government and rebel panels before the formal talks in Oslo, Norway, on August 22, 2016. Photo by Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler
The Philippine government and communist rebels resumed formal peace negotiations on Monday, August 22, with the government setting an ambitious goal to complete the process within a year.
"I'm very confident that this time we can push the talks forward and hopefully, upon mutual agreement of both parties, to talk on an accelerated pace. Maybe the timeline of the President will be achieved... one year," Silvestre Bello III, chief of the government panel, told Rappler on the sidelines of the talks.
"We will do away with the usual sequencing. We will consider a simultaneous discussion of the three remaining substantive issues of socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, and the end of hostilities and disposition of forces. With this new approach, we are quite confident that we might be able to achieve our timeline," he added.
The communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) hesitates to commit to the timeline, however.
The formal negotations, aimed at ending Asia's most stubborn insurgency, resumed after an impasse of 5 years.
Formal negotations between the government and communist guerrillas resume after an impasse of 5 years
HIGH HOPES. Members of the government and rebel panels before the formal talks in Oslo, Norway, on August 22, 2016. Photo by Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler
The Philippine government and communist rebels resumed formal peace negotiations on Monday, August 22, with the government setting an ambitious goal to complete the process within a year.
"I'm very confident that this time we can push the talks forward and hopefully, upon mutual agreement of both parties, to talk on an accelerated pace. Maybe the timeline of the President will be achieved... one year," Silvestre Bello III, chief of the government panel, told Rappler on the sidelines of the talks.
"We will do away with the usual sequencing. We will consider a simultaneous discussion of the three remaining substantive issues of socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, and the end of hostilities and disposition of forces. With this new approach, we are quite confident that we might be able to achieve our timeline," he added.
Government peace panel chair Silvestre Bello on timeline of Oslo talks
The communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) hesitates to commit to the timeline, however.
"President Duterte himself says he'll be satisfied if before the end of the term the peace agreement is rounded up and successfully finished. He expressed also possible difficulties along the way," Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison told Rappler when sought for comment.
CPP founder Joma on timeline of peace talks
Established in December 1968, the CPP launched a rebellion 3 months later that has so far claimed the lives of 30,000 people, according to official estimates.
The New People's Army (NPA), its armed faction, now counts just 4,000 members, down from 26,000 in the 1980s, though it enjoys the support of the poorest people in rural areas (READ: Fast facts: The CPP-NPA-NDF and the Oslo talks)
The talks came after President Duterte set the stage for the release of at least 20 top guerrillas who joined the NDF panel here, led by alleged CPP chairman Benito Tiamzon and his wife Wilma.
It was a sentimental journey for the rebel leaders, who never got to see Sison for 3 decades, ever since he left the Philippines in 1986 after the EDSA revolt that toppled the Marcos dictatorship. (READ: Joma Sison, Tiamzons reunited after 30 years)
Both sides declared a limited ceasefire prior to the talks. They hope to agree on extending it.
Pay hike for cops, soldiers included in 2017 proposed nat'l budget
From Rappler (Aug 22): Pay hike for cops, soldiers included in 2017 proposed nat'l budget
This is in relation to President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign promise to double the salaries of soldiers and policemen in 3 years
"P39.59 billion is for salary increase of MUP [or] military and uniformed personnel. It's subject to clearance by the President," Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said during the Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC) budget briefing before the House of Representatives on Monday, August 22.
President Rodrigo Duterte promised in July to implement "incremental" salary increase to soldiers by August.
But Diokno had said there is no budget for it this year.
The nation's budget chief told a Senate hearing that there is no item in the 2016 national budget to grant the increase promised by Duterte this August.
But in the P3.3-trillion proposed national budget for 2017, P39.59 billion is earmarked for the incremental salary increase for military and uniformed personnel.
Asked to elaborate on the program, Diokno replied: "We have to talk to the President about this. It's proper that the announcement comes from him."
To implement the wage hike, a law should be passed for a new tranche of salary standardization, increasing the base pay of unifomed personnel.
The "incremental" increase is in partial fulfillment of his campaign promise to double the salaries of military and policemen in 3 years, Duterte had said.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/143873-salary-hike-cops-soldiers-2017-budget
This is in relation to President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign promise to double the salaries of soldiers and policemen in 3 years
PARTIAL FULFILLMENT. The wage hike proposal is in partial fulfillment of his campaign promise to double the salaries of policemen and soldiers in 3 years. Photo by Pia Ranada/Rappler
Soldiers and policemen can expect their salaries to increase next year, after the Philippine economic managers allotted about P40 billion of the 2017 proposed national budget for this to be realized.
President Rodrigo Duterte promised in July to implement "incremental" salary increase to soldiers by August.
But Diokno had said there is no budget for it this year.
The nation's budget chief told a Senate hearing that there is no item in the 2016 national budget to grant the increase promised by Duterte this August.
But in the P3.3-trillion proposed national budget for 2017, P39.59 billion is earmarked for the incremental salary increase for military and uniformed personnel.
Asked to elaborate on the program, Diokno replied: "We have to talk to the President about this. It's proper that the announcement comes from him."
To implement the wage hike, a law should be passed for a new tranche of salary standardization, increasing the base pay of unifomed personnel.
The "incremental" increase is in partial fulfillment of his campaign promise to double the salaries of military and policemen in 3 years, Duterte had said.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/143873-salary-hike-cops-soldiers-2017-budget
Warriors, negotiators: Optimism on Day 1 of Oslo talks
From Rappler (Aug 23): Warriors, negotiators: Optimism on Day 1 of Oslo talks
Benito Tiamzon, alleged chief of the CPP and once branded as a hardliner, takes part in the peace negotiations
OSLO, Norway – For a moment, it was as if the two sides were no longer at war.
They arrived in barong tagalog, both panels representing the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) and featuring hardcore guerrillas who have presided over Asia's most stubborn insurgency.
The euphoria is palpable at the opening of peace negotiations in Oslo on Monday, August 22.
Senior communist rebels were all smiles – hugging each other and celebrating the presence of their comrades from prison and the underground. Among them are biggest names in the movement based on military records – Benito Tiamzon, Alan Jazmines, and Rafael Baylosis.
“What I’m most happy about is the release of the NDFP consultants. I haven’t seen them for decades. Now they are suddenly out in the wide world from their confinements, from their small cells. Now they are here to be harnessed for work for the peace negotiations,” Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison told Rappler. (READ: Joma Sison, Tiamzons reunited after 30 years)
Nobel room
The venue couldn’t be more appropriate for the task this week of the two warring sides – a room called Nobel in a hilltop hotel overlooking the Scandinavian capital.
The revolutionaries were seated on the right side of the room while the government officials were seated on the left. They crossed the room to take photos together before the program started, in a show of familarity born from their involvement in previous peace negotiations.
Sison, Tiamzon and the rest clenched their fists upwards while the government representatives clenched their first forward, the campaign symbol of President Rodrigo Duterte in the May 2016 elections. “Pareho naman pala tayo e. Clenched fist. (We’re the same, you see. We clench our fists.),” was repeatedly heard in the room.
LINKING ARMS. Members of the government and NDFP panels link arms to show unity in their aim to have peace
In the middle of the room were representatives of the Norwegian government that has supported the talks – Foreign Minister Borge Brende and Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process Ambassador Elisabeth Slattum – and who were glad that the negotiations have resumed since the impasse in 2011.
“You’ve seen the warmth and the exchanges, informal and formal on both sides. Let that be assessed by you and by those who are able to witness the atmosphere that prevailed during the opening,” said presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza.
Formed more than 4 decades ago, the CPP is behind a protracted war that has survived Martial Law in the 1970s, the 1986 EDSA revolution that isolated the guerrillas, a bloody internal purge in the 1990s, and the bitter split that followed.
Five post-Marcos presidents attemped to talk peace with the rebels, holding a total of 40 rounds of negotiations with them. All failed. (READ: Fast Facts: The CPP-NPA-NDF and the Oslo talks)
The Duterte-led negotiations promise to be different. (READ: #AnimatED: Hope in Oslo)
Joma all praises
Sison was all praises for President Duterte, his former student in the 1970s.
“For the first time in the history of the Philippines, a president has emerged by denouncing the abuses of the oligarchy and the folly of servility to foreign powers and by using street language and methods of the mass movement,” Sison said in his opening speech.
It was a welcome change in tone following a heated verbal exchange with the President following the CPP's failure to reciprocate the first ceasefire that Duterte had announced in his first State of the Nation Address. This raised fears that all the confidence-building measures done prior to this – such as the appointment of NDF allies to the Cabinet – would be put to waste.
The warrior is now a peace negotiator
NEGOTIATORS. Norway's Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process Ambassador Elisabeth Slattum welcomes Wilma Tiamzon to the peace negotiation
What makes this different is the participation of key CPP leaders from the Philippines.
It's the first time for Tiamzon to join the peace negotiations.
He was tagged as the “center of gravity” of the CPP's armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), whose face was unknown to many – including the NPA rebels – until he and his wife were arrested in Cebu in 2015.
Tiamzon’s new role as peace negotiator is a task completely different from the decades he had spent plotting and staging a revolution. He watched the formal process from a seat behind panel members, moved from one photo session or media interview after another.
“I was in high school when I last wore a barong,” a smiling Tiamzon told comrades who were happy to see him and his wife Wilma, also a top CPP-NPA personality, finally free again. (Read: Tiamzon: Writer, organizer, party man)
But the couple were also feeling the burden of the responsibility. “Noon pa lamang sa Maynila, pumapasok na sa isip ko kung paano talaga kami lulugar dito sa usapang pangkapayapaan (When we were still in Manila, it crossed my mind how we’re going to find our place in the peace talks),” Wilma Tiamzon told Rappler after the ceremonies.
“Ibang-iba (It’s really different),” Benito chimed in.
How will the "ground" feel about their participation in the peace talks?
“Palagay ko matutuwa sila. Unang-una, nakalahok kami dito at naging dahilan ng aming kagyat na paglaya. Marami ang naghihintay at tuwang tuwa na kami ay nakalaya na. Umaasa sila na ang paglahok namin dito ay magiging positibo para sa rebolusyunaryong kilusan,” Wilma said. (We think they're happy about it. We're now involved and this is the reason for our release. Many have been waiting for our release. They are hoping for a positive outcome.)
“Ang nakikibakang masa ang puno at ang siyang magiging dulo ng lahat ng pag-uusap dito,” added Benito Tiamzon. (The struggling masses are why we're in this process, and they will also determine its outcome.)
Tiamzon’s involvement addresses an issue that was raised in previous attempts to talk peace: that it is useless to talk peace with Sison alone because of doubts that the exiled CPP founder still controls the combatants on the ground.
Former government chief peace negotiator Alex Padilla said Tiamzon was the hardliner who was behind the difficult preconditions to the talks (READ: Joma wants peace, the ground doesn't)
Government chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III, who is an old hand at the job, is confident that Tiamzon's participation is key to the success of the peace talks that they seek to finish within a year. (READ: PH hopes for peace deal in a year)
“It is an opportunity for them to have a wider consultation. Hopefully, it could give them a clearer view of the situation,” Bello said.
“For the panel, and even for our President, the fact that we are determined to talk to them is clear indication that our intel community considers them as the right group to talk to. Otherwise, it will be senseless coming here,” Bello said.
It won't be easy.
There are agendas to push forward when the two panels sit down beginning Tuesday, August 23.
"The road to peace is not easy and rosy, considering the long history of animosity, suspicion and armed conflict that troubled our land. Let us all stay the course no matter what," Dureza said in his opening statement.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/143908-day-one-oslo-ndf-talks
Benito Tiamzon, alleged chief of the CPP and once branded as a hardliner, takes part in the peace negotiations
OPENING CEREMONIES. Formal negotiations between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines begin on Monday, August 22
They arrived in barong tagalog, both panels representing the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) and featuring hardcore guerrillas who have presided over Asia's most stubborn insurgency.
The euphoria is palpable at the opening of peace negotiations in Oslo on Monday, August 22.
Senior communist rebels were all smiles – hugging each other and celebrating the presence of their comrades from prison and the underground. Among them are biggest names in the movement based on military records – Benito Tiamzon, Alan Jazmines, and Rafael Baylosis.
“What I’m most happy about is the release of the NDFP consultants. I haven’t seen them for decades. Now they are suddenly out in the wide world from their confinements, from their small cells. Now they are here to be harnessed for work for the peace negotiations,” Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison told Rappler. (READ: Joma Sison, Tiamzons reunited after 30 years)
Nobel room
NOBEL ROOM. The opening ceremony was held in a room named after a peace award.
The revolutionaries were seated on the right side of the room while the government officials were seated on the left. They crossed the room to take photos together before the program started, in a show of familarity born from their involvement in previous peace negotiations.
Sison, Tiamzon and the rest clenched their fists upwards while the government representatives clenched their first forward, the campaign symbol of President Rodrigo Duterte in the May 2016 elections. “Pareho naman pala tayo e. Clenched fist. (We’re the same, you see. We clench our fists.),” was repeatedly heard in the room.
LINKING ARMS. Members of the government and NDFP panels link arms to show unity in their aim to have peace
In the middle of the room were representatives of the Norwegian government that has supported the talks – Foreign Minister Borge Brende and Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process Ambassador Elisabeth Slattum – and who were glad that the negotiations have resumed since the impasse in 2011.
“You’ve seen the warmth and the exchanges, informal and formal on both sides. Let that be assessed by you and by those who are able to witness the atmosphere that prevailed during the opening,” said presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza.
Formed more than 4 decades ago, the CPP is behind a protracted war that has survived Martial Law in the 1970s, the 1986 EDSA revolution that isolated the guerrillas, a bloody internal purge in the 1990s, and the bitter split that followed.
Five post-Marcos presidents attemped to talk peace with the rebels, holding a total of 40 rounds of negotiations with them. All failed. (READ: Fast Facts: The CPP-NPA-NDF and the Oslo talks)
The Duterte-led negotiations promise to be different. (READ: #AnimatED: Hope in Oslo)
Joma all praises
Sison was all praises for President Duterte, his former student in the 1970s.
“For the first time in the history of the Philippines, a president has emerged by denouncing the abuses of the oligarchy and the folly of servility to foreign powers and by using street language and methods of the mass movement,” Sison said in his opening speech.
It was a welcome change in tone following a heated verbal exchange with the President following the CPP's failure to reciprocate the first ceasefire that Duterte had announced in his first State of the Nation Address. This raised fears that all the confidence-building measures done prior to this – such as the appointment of NDF allies to the Cabinet – would be put to waste.
The warrior is now a peace negotiator
NEGOTIATORS. Norway's Special Envoy to the Philippine Peace Process Ambassador Elisabeth Slattum welcomes Wilma Tiamzon to the peace negotiation
What makes this different is the participation of key CPP leaders from the Philippines.
It's the first time for Tiamzon to join the peace negotiations.
He was tagged as the “center of gravity” of the CPP's armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), whose face was unknown to many – including the NPA rebels – until he and his wife were arrested in Cebu in 2015.
Tiamzon’s new role as peace negotiator is a task completely different from the decades he had spent plotting and staging a revolution. He watched the formal process from a seat behind panel members, moved from one photo session or media interview after another.
“I was in high school when I last wore a barong,” a smiling Tiamzon told comrades who were happy to see him and his wife Wilma, also a top CPP-NPA personality, finally free again. (Read: Tiamzon: Writer, organizer, party man)
But the couple were also feeling the burden of the responsibility. “Noon pa lamang sa Maynila, pumapasok na sa isip ko kung paano talaga kami lulugar dito sa usapang pangkapayapaan (When we were still in Manila, it crossed my mind how we’re going to find our place in the peace talks),” Wilma Tiamzon told Rappler after the ceremonies.
“Ibang-iba (It’s really different),” Benito chimed in.
How will the "ground" feel about their participation in the peace talks?
“Palagay ko matutuwa sila. Unang-una, nakalahok kami dito at naging dahilan ng aming kagyat na paglaya. Marami ang naghihintay at tuwang tuwa na kami ay nakalaya na. Umaasa sila na ang paglahok namin dito ay magiging positibo para sa rebolusyunaryong kilusan,” Wilma said. (We think they're happy about it. We're now involved and this is the reason for our release. Many have been waiting for our release. They are hoping for a positive outcome.)
“Ang nakikibakang masa ang puno at ang siyang magiging dulo ng lahat ng pag-uusap dito,” added Benito Tiamzon. (The struggling masses are why we're in this process, and they will also determine its outcome.)
Tiamzon’s involvement addresses an issue that was raised in previous attempts to talk peace: that it is useless to talk peace with Sison alone because of doubts that the exiled CPP founder still controls the combatants on the ground.
Former government chief peace negotiator Alex Padilla said Tiamzon was the hardliner who was behind the difficult preconditions to the talks (READ: Joma wants peace, the ground doesn't)
Government chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III, who is an old hand at the job, is confident that Tiamzon's participation is key to the success of the peace talks that they seek to finish within a year. (READ: PH hopes for peace deal in a year)
“It is an opportunity for them to have a wider consultation. Hopefully, it could give them a clearer view of the situation,” Bello said.
“For the panel, and even for our President, the fact that we are determined to talk to them is clear indication that our intel community considers them as the right group to talk to. Otherwise, it will be senseless coming here,” Bello said.
It won't be easy.
There are agendas to push forward when the two panels sit down beginning Tuesday, August 23.
"The road to peace is not easy and rosy, considering the long history of animosity, suspicion and armed conflict that troubled our land. Let us all stay the course no matter what," Dureza said in his opening statement.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/143908-day-one-oslo-ndf-talks
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