Council of Leaders for Peace Initiatives (CLPI)
October 31, 2024

In a few weeks, on November 23, 2023, we will be marking the first-year anniversary of the signing of the GRP-NDFP Oslo Joint Statement. In that statement, the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) agreed to work for a principled and peaceful resolution of the armed conflict. That gave the country hope that we will be able to finally achieve a just and lasting peace of a conflict, rooted in legitimate socioeconomic and political grievances, that has gone on for decades.

The Council of Leaders for Peace Initiatives (CLPI), a multisectoral and diverse group of peace advocates from all over the country, affirm our trust in the ongoing process of discreet talks under the auspices of the Royal Norwegian Government. We also hold fast to our belief in the sincerity of the two Parties in pursuing this difficult but indispensable road to peace.
However, we would like to raise concerns about recent developments that could derail progress, or worse, result in the abandonment of the process.

We are worried, in particular, of the recent arrests of Wigberto Villarico, Porfirio Tuna, and Simeon Naogsan. All three, as announced by the NDFP, are peace consultants protected by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). Such arrests have a chilling effect on the peace process and erodes the trust that is so necessary to move forward to fulfill the promise made with on what the Oslo statement promised.

It is clear that there are elements in the Marcos Jr administration that are working to block any progress towards a permanent peace agreement between the government and the NDFP. The hawks and hardliners espousing an all-out war approach to the armed conflict in contravention to the pronouncements of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the President himself must be exposed and condemned. We earnestly appeal to President Marcos Jr: rein them in and reiterate your administration’s commitment to work towards such an agreement.

Once again, the CLPI calls on the Parties to move forward on the exploratory talks and agree on the framework for the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. It is most urgent for them to agree soonest on confidence and trust building measures, including temporary ceasefires, and protection protocols and mechanisms for all participants in the process. Releasing the NDFP consultants who are currently in detention, including the three recently arrested, is one such measure. #

Reference:

Atty. Antonio G. M. La Viña
Lead Convenor, CLPI
tonylavs@gmail.com
+639989984115
October 31, 2024

Julie De Lima, Chairperson of the NDFP Peace Negotiating Panel
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
September 4, 2024 | Peace Talks, Statements

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Peace Negotiating Panel firmly reiterates its commitment to the resumption of peace negotiations with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP). Our dedication to achieving a just and lasting peace remains steadfast, as we believe the negotiations present an effective means to address the underlying causes of the civil war.

The ongoing talks between the two delegations are meant to come up with an agreed framework for the negotiations towards forging an agreement that will address the root causes of the armed conflict.

In the past few months, we have observed with concern the mixed and contradictory signals emanating from the GRP. On the one hand, General Eduardo Año stated that peace talks are unlikely to proceed. On the other hand, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said they are optimistic that the talks would resume. We hope that the GRP can resolve these contradictory views.

The NDFP Peace Negotiating Panel remains open and ready to engage in meaningful discussions that can lead to comprehensive solutions benefitting the Filipino people including addressing key issues of agrarian reform and national industrialization among other substantive socio-economic concerns.

The path to peace is indeed long and arduous, but it is a path that we must tread with unwavering determination, mutual respect and a genuine commitment from both parties if it is to succeed. We look forward to continuing exploratory talks with the GRP and hopeful to resume formal negotiations to achieve just and lasting peace in the Philippines.

By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com
August 29, 2024

MANILA – Human rights group Karapatan expressed grave concern over the reported disappearance of James Jazmines, brother of National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Alan Jazmines.

It has been six days since James was reportedly seen last August 23 in Purok 4, Barangay San Lorenzo, Tabaco City, Albay. Karapatan said that his wife, friends and human rights groups have been searching for James as of this writing.

“We believe that James’ disappearance is either the latest in the military’s arsenal of dirty tricks to force his brother Alan to surface… given the military’s continuing failure to arrest Alan,” said Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay in a statement.

Palabay said that members of the Jazmines family, including James, have suffered surveillance, threats and harassment over the decades because of the military’s relentless operations to locate Alan and arrest him.

“In fact, James’ wife, a development worker, was red-tagged several times last year and was even erroneously referred to as Alan’s wife in an episode of ‘Laban ng Masa,’ a rabid red-tagging program aired over the Quiboloy-owned SMNI,” Palabay added.

James, 63, is the youngest brother of Alan. He is a graduate of the Philippine Science High School and took up BS Psychology at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. He was the editor of Commitment, then official paper of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) and later became the executive director of the Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center, a cultural institution.

From 1988 to 1992, James served as the information officer of labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU). He was the information technology consultant of a non-government development organization up to the mid-2000s, and has been working freelance in the IT sector since then.

Karapatan demands that James be surfaced and reunited with his family.

“We denounce this foul maneuver by the military and demand that James be surfaced safe and sound and reunited with his family,” Palabay said.

Jame’s brother, Alan, was one of the NDFP peace consultants released to participate in the peace talks with the Philippine government in 2016 under former President Duterte. After a year, Duterte unilaterally terminated the peace talks and ordered the arrest of peace consultants. (RTS, RVO) (https://www.bulatlat.com)

National Council of Churches in the Philippines
August 5, 2024

Let us Observe the National and International Day of Prayer for Just Peace in the Philippines

Sunday, September 1, 2024

On November 23, 2023 the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) released a Joint Statement indicating a possible resumption of peace negotiations.

However, since then, there has been no further developments.

The two Parties, the GRP and the NDFP should be supported and encouraged to resume the formal peace negotiations. The peace negotiations should not work for the surrender of one of the parties but for identifying and addressing the roots of unpeace to prevent their continuation and aggravation.

One of the most important features of successful peace negotiations is the role of a strong peace constituency, most especially among Filipinos, but also from the international community. This peace constituency should always push for the resolution of the armed conflict based on social justice. It must tirelessly advocate for the two sides to persist with the peace negotiations on the basis of mutually agreed upon principles until a final negotiated peace settlement is achieved.

At the core of NCCP’s ecumenical vocation is peace building and it has faithfully supported the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. On April 25, 2024, the NCCP Executive Committee approved a resolution for a National and International Day of Prayer for Just Peace in the Philippines on Sunday, September 1, 2024, to show support for the resumption of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. The date is significant because of the Signing of The Hague Joint Declaration in The Hague, The Netherlands by representatives of both parties on September 1, 1992. The Hague Joint Declaration sets the objective of the peace negotiations which is the attainment of a just and lasting peace by addressing the roots of the armed conflict and thereby resolving it.

Several of NCCP’s international ecumenical partners have already indicated support for this day of prayer. On July 5, 2024, the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) decided to adopt the Day of Prayer and encourage churches from other denominations to observe it

We are hoping that you will join us in observance of this Day of Prayer for a just and lasting peace in the Philippines.

Resources available:

• Prayer for Just Peace in the Philippines in (English, Spanish, French and Filipino, Filipino, Bicolano, Bisaya, Ilocano, Kapampangan), by Deaconess Norma P. Dollaga of the United Methodist Church. Ms. Dollaga, Secretary General of KASIMBAYAN, is the recipient of the 2024 World Methodist Peace Award from the World Methodist Council, given to individuals who have struggled for peace with courage, creativity and consistency.
• Liturgy that was originally prepared for the NCCP Peace Module by Rev. Dr. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, our former General Secretary from 2000-2007
• Brief background paper on Day of Prayer for JustPeace in the Philippines.
• Affirming our Fidelity to the GRP-NDFP Peace Process, statement approved during the 26th General Convention of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines on November 24, 2023.

Satur Ocampo
At Ground Level – Bulatlat
July 21, 2024

Throughout his first two years in Malacañang, President Marcos Jr. has stayed silent on the issue of continuing the GRP-NDFP peace talks, which his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, had resumed in 2016 and then backed away from in 2019.

Last Nov. 23, 2023, the government and the NDFP announced that they had agreed to return to peace negotiations. Since then, however, with the ball in his court, Marcos Jr. has made no move, nor said a word.

The statement was signed by Luis Jalandoni for the NDFP. Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo, Special Assistant to the President, signed for the GRP. It marked the culmination of almost two years of discreet informal discussions in Oslo, facilitated by the Norwegian government, between NDFP officials and retired AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, who initiated the talks. In early 2023 Lagdameo joined the discussions and led the GRP team, presumably with Malacañang clearance.

Concerned that Marcos Jr.’s silence indicated a “return to the policy of all-out war… aimed at crushing the revolutionary movement,” a newly formed group, the Council of Leaders for Peace Initiatives (CLPI), is urging him, in his third State of the Nation address on Monday, to make a “clear and unqualified commitment to pursue a peaceful, negotiated solution” towards attaining just and lasting peace.

“Indeed, in the wake of this [all-out-war] policy,” the CLPI said, “grievous violations of human rights and international humanitarian law are the undeniable and unacceptable consequences.”

Thus, they urged Marcos Jr. to resume the formal negotiations “without preconditions, on the basis of previously inked bilateral agreements and bolstered by confidence and trust building measures from both parties.” They asked him to appoint the new members of the GRP negotiating panel and to release the NDFP peace consultants, who have been arrested and held in prisons, to enable them to do their designated roles in the negotiations.

With 17 initial convenors, the CLPI introduces itself as a “collegial, multi-stakeholder and diverse body of Filipino advocates of a just and lasting peace in the Philippines that seeks to build bridges and spaces for dialogue.” It also seeks to foster a culture of understanding and appreciation for peace building; accompany the victims of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law as a result of the armed conflict and raise public awareness and create support for the GRP-NDFP peace process.

The advocacy group believes that it can play a significant role in the various mechanisms that can lead to achieving a just peace. It held its first assembly-cum-forum in Quezon City last Tuesday, to which I was invited.

Three women composed the forum panel: Melba Maggay, founder of the Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture, UP political science professor Sol Iglesias and Deaconess Norma Dollaga of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. Each provided wider insights on peace-building and suggested ways to advance it.

Notably, they found the NTF-ELCAC as a major obstacle, suggested its “defunding” and backed the calls for its abolition.

The initial CLPI convenors include three bishops: Catholic Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, the national director of Caritas Phils. and United Methodist Church Bishop Ruby-Nell Estrella.

The other convenors are lawyers Antonio La Viña of Ateneo de Manila’s Manila Observatory and Manuel Quibod, Ateneo de Davao College of Law dean; Melba Maggay; former Ambassador Victoria Bataclan; former Negros Occidental Gov. Rafael Coscolluela; former Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit of the Commission on Human Rights; former UP-Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan; UP-Cebu Chancellor Leo Malagar; former Cultural Center of the Philippines vice president and artistic director Chris Millado; Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines spokesperson Mitzi Jonelle Tan; former ARMM Legislative Assembly member Samira Gutoc; Rose Hayahay of Save Our Schools; Guiamel Mato Alem, Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society chairperson and Vaughn Geuseppe Alviar, national president, Youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.

“Much hope and optimism” was generated among peace advocates, the CLPI said, and those who suffer the most because of the ongoing armed conflict such as the rural poor and indigenous peoples’ communities.

“Unfortunately, since then we have not heard any positive development, especially prospects for the resumption of the formal peace negotiations.”

A news report Thursday in another national daily quoted a National Amnesty Commission statement as saying the peace negotiations were “still being worked out to be started.” They’re not even in square one!

In its July 16 statement, titled “A Just Peace is Imperative,” the CLPI made three critical observations:

• We underscore the folly of prioritizing government financial and other resources for this all-out war policy over providing for basic social services such as health, education, affordable housing and economic development programs that address the plight of the poor and disadvantaged. This can only lead to exacerbating the roots of the armed conflict.

• We are also alarmed that this militarist policy extends to civil society in its legitimate role to critique government policies and rightfully advocate for reforms. Thus, we denounce the use of red-tagging, the filing of unwarranted criminal cases including charges of “terrorism” and “financing terrorism” and other forms of political harassment against cause-oriented groups and activists, development workers, human rights defenders as well as journalists.

• The military claims that the CPP-NPA’s remaining armed force has been significantly reduced and are bound for defeat. Nonetheless, history shows that armed conflict – rooted in widening socioeconomic and political disparities – persists precisely because those conditions lead to social unrest and lends credence and justness to the revolutionary cause.

Citing the heightening rivalry and tension between big powers especially in the Asia-Pacific region, the CLPI asserted that “it is high time to pursue all avenues, especially peaceful ones, to address and bring to a negotiated solution the ongoing armed conflict, so that we can unite our people and muster our resources towards forging an independent and peaceful foreign policy.”

Will this issue be addressed in Marcos Jr.’s forthcoming SONA? How important is it to him?

Published in Business World
July 20, 2024

July 6, 2024
by IBON Foundation

The United States’ (US) extensive overseas military engagements since World War II have resulted in millions of deaths worldwide. Since 1945, the US has used its global network of bases and military agreements to invade or intervene in 96 countries. These operations started during the so-called Cold War, as the US sought to prevent communist expansion, and continue today under a self-declared War on Terror.

The US deploys its military forces under various pretexts including peacekeeping, humanitarian intervention, enforcement of international law, democratization, alliance-building, counterterrorism and ironically even preventing war. Its interventions range from direct military actions to covert operations to military support for client states. Lasting from days or weeks to over many years, these result in significant loss of life.

The first proxy war of the Cold War was in Greece from 1947-1950 when the US provided vast military support for the Greek government to prevent it from falling into the Soviet sphere of influence. This started decades of military intervention and assistance by the US to contain the spread of communist ideals and influence.

• Korea (1950-1953) – US forces joined South Korea in its war with North Korea, which was among the deadliest of the Cold War era.
• Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia (1955-1975) – US forces supported and eventually joined South Vietnam in its war against North Vietnam; this longest and deadliest conflict of the Cold War included massive bombing campaigns on Laos and Cambodia.
• Guatemala (1960-1996) – The US supported consecutive dictatorships with military and other assistance especially for its anti-communist operations.
• Indonesia (1958-1961) – The US supported Permesta rebels against the Sukarno government, and also backed the eventually successful Suharto coup.
• Cuba (1961) – The US supported the Bay of Pigs invasion which tried to overthrow the Cuban government.
• Colombia (1964-2013) – The US sent special operations forces and provided massive military assistance for counterinsurgency and later counter-narcotics operations.
• Dominican Republic (1965-1966) – The US invaded the Dominican Republic to ensure a reliable client state.
• Congo (1967) – The US supported the Mobutu regime with military hardware and munitions.
• Chile (1973) – The US supported the military coup to overthrow Salvador Allende and then also the dictatorship that followed.
• East Timor (1975-1999) – The US supported Indonesian invasion forces.
• Angola (1976-1992) – The US supported military resistance and coup attempts against the Leftist government.
• El Salvador (1979-1992) – The US supported the military dictatorship and its efforts against the Leftist insurgency.
• Nicaragua (1981-1988) – The US supported right-wing Contras to combat the Leftist Sandinista government.
• Grenada (1983) – The US invaded Grenada to ensure a reliable client state.

The US continued with its overseas military interventions even as the Cold War wound down:

• Libya (1986) – The US bombing of Libya was among its earliest attacks which used international terrorism as a justification.
• Iran (1987-1988) – The US fought naval and air battles against Iran, including shooting down a civilian airliner killing everyone on board.
• Panama (1989-1990) – The US invaded Panama to overthrow the government.
• Iraq (1990-2003) – The US launched air and ground offensives to expel Iraq from Kuwait during the Gulf War, followed by bombings and crippling economic sanctions on Iraq until 2003.
• Somalia (1992-1995) – The US invaded Somalia to secure its oil reserves for American corporations.
• Haiti (1994-1995) – The US invaded Haiti to reinstate an allied government overthrown by a coup.
• Yugoslavia (1993-1999) – Under the cover of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operations, the US’s air combat and bombings in the former Yugoslavia were its first in Europe since World War Two.

In the 21st century, the US used its so-called war on terror to justify large-scale invasions, attacks and many other military interventions:

• Afghanistan (2001-2021) – The US invaded Afghanistan on the pretext of responding to the 9/11 terrorist attack and going after Al-Qaeda.
• Yemen (2002-2023) – The US sent special operations forces into Yemen and launched the first of hundreds of drone strikes against Al-Qaeda.
• Iraq (2003-2011; 2014-2021) – The US invaded Iraq on the pretext of going after weapons of mass destruction to overthrow the government of former ally Saddam Hussein; this was followed by air strikes and military support against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
• Pakistan (2001; 2004- 2018) – The US deployed troops for its invasion of Afghanistan and attacks on Al-Qaeda; it later also launched hundreds of drone strikes to support the government against rebel groups.
• Somalia (2007-2024) – The US conducts drone strikes, air strikes and ground operations against supposed terrorists.
• Libya (2011-2020) – Under the cover of NATO operations, the US conducted air, drone and artillery strikes to overthrow the Muammar al-Qaddafi government.
• Syria (2014-2021) – The US conducts drone strikes, air strikes and ground operations against ISIS.
• Ukraine (2022-present) – The US attempt to expand US influence to Russia’s borders by including Ukraine in NATO provoked Russia to invade Ukraine; it is fighting a proxy war with Russia through massive military support to Ukraine.
• Palestine (2023-present) – The US is the strongest supporter of Israel in its genocidal war on Palestine; Israel is already the largest cumulative recipient of US military aid which even increased three-fold in 2024 since the attacks on Gaza.

The US’ hostile military actions abroad violate the United Nations (UN) Charter’s provisions on peaceful settlement of disputes and refraining from the use of armed force except in self-defense after an armed attack by another state. None of the countries the US has invaded or attacked previously initiated hostilities against it. The US acts without Security Council approval when it wants to and also systematically violates many other UN resolutions and international law.

The most severe of the US’ acts of aggression have resulted in some 13-23 million deaths in at least 28 nations. Direct US military actions in at least 16 countries have caused around 7-13 million deaths. US-supported or -instigated armed conflicts in 19 countries have led to some 6-10 million deaths. There are countries where the US has engaged both directly in combat and indirectly through active military support.

These figures still do not include casualties from all the governments the US has supported militarily in their domestic conflicts against supposed insurgents and other political opposition. Many tens of thousands more have been killed by client states with US support and using US-funded and -supplied war materiel, such as in the Philippines.

These extensive casualties underscore the high human cost of the US’ militarist strategy for maintaining its global hegemony. Ensuring the political subservience of governments to conform with US geopolitical objectives and ensuring access to countries’ economic and natural resources are essential to this.

As it is, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reports US military spending of US$916 billion in 2023 to be the largest in the world. This is over triple the next biggest spender China’s (US$296 billion), and more than that of the following 20 countries combined (Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Germany, Ukraine, France, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Australia, Poland, Israel, Canada, Spain, Brazil, Algeria, Netherlands, Taiwan and Turkey).

Sources: United Nations/OHCHA (2024), Global Conflict Tracker (2024), Zinn Education Project (2024), Center for Justice & Accountability (2024), Institute for Policy Studies (2024), Center for Civilians in Conflict (2024), Justice for Colombia (2024), Geopolitical Monitor (2024), Human Rights Watch (2024), US Congressional Research Service (2024), US Department of Defense (2024), SIPRI (2024), Jonathan Masters and Will Merrow (2024), Watson Institute for International and Public affairs (2023), China Society for Human Rights Studies (2023), Mark Clapson (2019), Colombia National Center for Historical Memory (2016), Margaret Alston (2015), American Archive of Public Broadcasting, Dan Vergano (2013), Gideon Polya (2013) and James A. Lucas (2007, 2013), John Tirman (2012), Matthew Weaver (2011), Lancet (2006), Medact (2002) and Noam Chomsky (1995)

March 6, 2024
KODAO PRODUCTIONS

GENEVA, Switzerland—The Philippine UPR Watch again called for the abolition of the National Task Force To End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and the junking of the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 in its ongoing participation at the 55th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC) in this city.

A delegation of the group informed various permanent missions of member states and international civil society organizations based in Geneva last Monday and Tuesday of the results of two recent visits of UN special rapporteurs who denounced government’s red-tagging practices.

The group said they it is attending the session to testify on continuing human rights violations under the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government.

“We are here to inform the international community that the findings by both special rapporteur on climate change and human rights Ian Fry last November and special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan last February that human rights violations continue are true,” Center for Environmental Concerns executive director Lia Mai Torres said.

Philippine UPR Watch said the rest of UN member states must be informed that both experts recommended the abolition of the NTF-ELCAC and called for the review of the anti-terror law that are being used against human rights defenders and other civilians.

A network of human rights defenders in the Philippines, the Philippine UPR Watch said it is scheduled to deliver oral interventions at the UNHRC session and its other events to give updates on the government’s lack of compliance to its commitments to the international body 20 months after the last review on the Philippines.

“The Marcos Jr. government wants to paint a rosy picture of so-called improved rhetoric and improved conditions but we are here both as victims and witnesses that anti-people policies have not changed as evidenced by the exit statements by Mr. Fry and Ms. Khan,” Torres added.

Clergywoman as victim of weaponized law
Among the main topics in the 55th UN HRC session are discussions on countering religious hatred and social security and public services.

With the Philippine UPR Watch delegation is Rev. Glofie Baluntong of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines who was among the first charged by the government under the controversial Anti-Terror Law of 2020.

Based on an earlier murder charge in August 2021, Baluntong was slapped with an alleged violation of the Anti-Terror Act in August 2022 which was recently dismissed by the public prosecutor for lack of merit.

“But the dismissal came with the warning that the case may be re-filed anytime that the military or the police decides to do so,” the clergyperson said.

The United Methodist Church pastor was charged by the military of assisting the New People’s Army.

But the pastor said she was performing necrological services to a member of her church at the time she committed the alleged murder she was initially charged with.

“The government is saying that my work with the indigenous people’s communities make me an enemy of the state,” Baluntong said.

Baluntong said that red-tagging attacks and trumped-up charges prevent her from performing her ministry with the indigenous peoples and poor communities in her home province of Mindoro.

With Baluntong and Torres is IBON Foundation executive director Sonny Africa who said that his participation in the 55th session is in preparation for the anticipated official visit of the UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty.

Africa is also expected to participate in the panel discussion on challenges and good practices to realize the right to social security and to provide quality public services.

Delegation co-leader and Karapatan legal counsel Ma. Sol Taule said, “This delegation supports suggestions made by the UN experts who recently visited the Philippines to continue our engagements leading to the submission of their respective final reports to the UN HRC.”

The Philippine UPR Watch delegation is also scheduled to speak at forums in various cities in Switzerland and throughout Europe during the duration of the UN HRC session. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

[DISCLOSURE] The reporter is a member of the PH UPR Watch delegation as chairperson of the People’s Alternative Media Network that also spoke with UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan in her visit to the Philippines earlier this year.

IBON International
December 11, 2023

The UDHR recognises that unless human rights is protected by the rule of law, people will be “compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression.” We witness this in Palestine. This is also happening in Burma, West Papua, India, and the Philippines.

In the Philippines, belligerent forces represented by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), and the current government, both announced intent to resume peace talks in late November. Brutal counterinsurgency efforts by the Philippine government, implemented with an “anti-terror” pretense, have not quelled revolutionary movements struggling for national sovereignty from US power, and democratic rights primarily based on land redistribution to landless peasants.

This recent development foregrounds Philippine social movements’ demand for peace based on social justice. A key component of social justice is the realisation of the full range of people’s economic, social, cultural, and civil-political rights, possible through political sovereignty and the democratic governance over resources and development. Working towards just peace also entails holding perpetrators of gross injustices and rights violations to account, from atrocities during Marcos Sr.’s Martial Law, to Duterte’s brutal drug war and counterinsurgency which are continued by the current administration of Marcos Jr.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳-𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 75𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘋𝘏𝘙.

HumanRightsDay #UDHR75

National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Press Statement
December 10, 2023

On International Human Rights Day 2023:
NUPL calls for justice, equality, and the inherent dignity of all

We march the streets with fervent calls to end abuses by oppressive regimes globally and hold the past and current administrations of Duterte and Marcos accountable for their gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Seventy-five years since the global adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the world now grapples with heightened levels of violent conflict, escalating inequalities, and pervasive impunity amid an urgent climate emergency.

In the Philippines, gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law under the current Marcos Jr.-Duterte regime have starkly defied well-entrenched principles of international law. Practices such as extrajudicial killings, abductions, enforced disappearances, fake surrenders, red-tagging, and the weaponization of law not only constitute legal transgressions but also undermine the foundations of a just society. The continued existence of NTF-ELCAC underscores the misuse of state power to suppress dissent, quash opposition, and instill an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.

Our condemnation extends to the atrocities in Gaza, where imperialist powers fuel war and perpetuate suffering. The plight of the Palestinian people warrants global attention and collective resistance against forces that historically perpetuate oppression.

On this day, we reassert our commitment as peoples’ lawyers to wield the law for social transformation and stand in solidarity with people worldwide in the struggle for a just, equitable, and humane world.

As the people, we pledge to champion justice, equality, and the inherent dignity of all. ###

Stop the imperialist wars and political repression!

Hold to account the US-Marcos-Duterte regime!

Reference:
Atty. Ephraim B. Cortez
NUPL President
+639172092943

Dec. 08, 2023
DAVAO TODAY

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The date November 23, when Philippine government representatives and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) signed a joint statement for the possible resumption of peace talks, is significant, says a peace and human rights observer.

It was also November 23, six years ago, that former President Rodrigo Duterte terminated peace talks through Proclamation 360 and launched a “whole-of-nation” approach that attacked peace negotiators and activists alike.

Peter Murphy, chairperson of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), said that the Philippine government re-opening possible talks with the NDFP as “a rejection of the (Ferdinand) Marcos Jr predecessor Duterte’s termination of peace talks …on the same day”.

Various peace groups also welcomed the announcement made on November 28 that the Marcos Jr administration and NDF are working to resume peace talks after six years.

Government representatives met with NDFP peace negotiators in Oslo, Norway, and signed a joint statement on November 23 to sign a joint communique to signify the opening of talks.

“Cognizant of the serious socioeconomic and environmental issues, and the foreign security threats facing the country, the parties recognize the need to unite as a nation in order to urgently address these challenges and resolve the reasons for the armed conflict,” the communique said.

The statement was signed by the Special Assistant to the President Sec. Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. on behalf of the GRP with Presidential Adviser on Peace and Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista as witnesses.

NDFP National Executive Council member Luis Jalandoni signed together with NDFP Negotiating Panel interim chairperson Julieta de Lima and member Coni Ledesma.

The communique acknowledges Bautista for initiating informal talks in the past years with the late NDFP chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison.

Calls for peace ‘remain strong’

Murphy said the resumption of talks is a validation of the people’s call for a solution to peace beyond counter-insurgency measures.

“The joint statement is the result of the Filipino people’s struggle for a genuine just and lasting peace that remains strong and undeterred despite political setbacks and ongoing counterinsurgency that cannot crush the people’s united will to fight for change,” he said.

The talks were terminated by Duterte in 2017, just when the negotiating parties were about to complete the comprehensive agreement on socio-economic reform.

After that, Duterte launched his “whole-of-nation” policy, which included the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in 2018. He signed the Anti-Terror Act in 2020.

These policies, rights advocates say, have resulted in red-tagging, arrests, and even murders of peace consultants and activists.

Next steps

The third-party facilitating group, the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform, welcomed the resumption of talks, as they had made this appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr as way back in 2022.

“We hope that various barriers to peace will be resolved through dialogue and principled negotiations,” said PEPP co-chair Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of Cagayan de Oro.

Bishop Felixberto Calang of Iglesia Filipina Independiente, who has witnessed the peace talks in Norway, hopes the joint statement be concretized into formal peace talks at the soonest time “towards just and lasting peace and the vision of a country where a united people can live in peace and prosperity.”

Crucial part yet to happen

Both panels have expressed they will work on a framework and talking points to revive the talks.

Former Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate, who has also participated in the talks, welcomed this development as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not mention the peace talks with the communist rebels in his inaugural and State of the Nation Address.

Marcos Jr. had declared an amnesty program for rebels on November 22.

Zarate pointed out that what is crucial is that the two parties will actually talk and lay down what issues should be negotiated during the talks to address the roots of the armed conflict.

“The crucial part is yet to happen. That’s where we have to be watchful. Peace stakeholders should be more active and be watchful of peace saboteurs especially from the Executive branch of the government, which do not want to settle the 50-year armed rebellion,” he said.

Vice President Sara Duterte, chair of NTF-ELCAC has publicly opposed the resumption of talks and warned Marcos Jr that the NDFP “…will use these peace negotiations to betray the government and deceive the public.”

But government officials have signified support for a peaceful resolution to the armed conflict, as members of the House of Representatives made a unified statement supporting Marcos Jr’s “initiatives for peace and national unity”.

“It is a moral imperative, a chance to mend the fissures that have long divided our nation. We are not just negotiating terms; we are weaving the fabric of a peaceful future for every Filipino,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said. (davaotoday.com)