The Hague Joint Declaration

September 1, 1992

We, the undersigned emissary of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the undersigned representative of the National Democratic Front (NDF) have held exploratory talks at The Hague, The Netherlands on August 31 ‑ September 1, 1992 and have agreed to recommend to our respective principals the following:

  1. Formal peace negotiations between the GRP and the NDF shall be held to resolve the armed conflict.
  2. The common goal of the aforesaid negotiations shall be the attainment of a just and lasting peace.
  3. Such negotiations shall take place after the parties have reached tentative agreements on substantive issues in the agreed agenda through the reciprocal working committees to be separately organized by the GRP and the NDF.
  4. The holding of peace negotiations must be in accordance with mutually acceptable principles, including national sovereignty, democracy and social justice and no precondition shall be made to negate the inherent character and purpose of the peace negotiations.
  5. Preparatory to the formal peace negotiations, we have agreed to recommend the following:

a)  Specific measures of goodwill and confidence‑building to create a favorable climate for peace negotiations; and

b)  The substantive agenda of the formal peace negotiations shall include human rights and international humanitarian law, socio‑economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, end of hostilities and disposition of forces.

 Signed on September 1, 1992 in The Hague, The Netherlands.

 

For the                                                                                                                         For the                                                                                                                     Government of the Republic                                                                                National Democratic Front                                                                           of the Philippines                                                                                                     of the Philippines

Rep. JOSE V. YAP                                                                                                         LUIS JALANDONI                                                                                                Emissary                                                                                                                     Representative

WITNESSES:

Rep. Eric D. Singson                                                                                                   Coni  Ledesma

Teresita de Castro                                                                                                     Byron Bocar                                                                                                      State Counsel

Jose Maria Sison

APPROVED BY:

(Sgd) Fidel V. Ramos                                                                                                  (Sgd) Manuel Romero                                                                                         President                                                                                                                     Chairperson                                                                                                         Government of the Republic                                                                                   National Democratic Front                                                                                   of the Philippines                                                                                                      of the Philippines

October 8, 1992                                                                                                        September 9, 1992