Kodao Productions
April 1, 2017

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands—The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) announced it will not reinstate its unilateral ceasefire declaration with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) as both parties agreed in their March 11 joint statement.

In a televised press briefing in Malacañan Palace in Manila yesterday before his flight to this country, GRP Negotiating Panel chairperson Silvestre Bello III announced there is “no reason” for them to declare a unilateral ceasefire in time for their fourth round of formal peace talks.

“There is no reason to declare a unilateral ceasefire because our President (Rodrigo Duterte) is more interested in obtaining a bilateral ceasefire agreement,” Bello said.

GRP’s decision, however, reneges on the GRP-NDFP Utrecht Joint Statement “to reinstate their respective unilateral ceasefires which shall take effect before the scheduled fourth round of talks in April 2017 as soon as their respective forces shall have been informed.”

“I think we should concentrate on this more important (bilateral ceasefire) agreement, because this is where we will be assured of the lowering or ending of hostilities,” he added.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) earlier promised it will reinstate its unilateral ceasefire declaration in time for the next round of talks in Noordwijk.

But Bello said he no longer expects the CPP to declare a unilateral ceasefire following his announcement.

“If they feel we are not prepared to declare one, I don’t think they will proceed with their declaration of a unilateral ceasefire,” Bello said.

Flexible and open

The NDFP, for its part, expressed surprise at GRP’s decision, calling Bello’s announcement “an unexpected departure from the March 11 backchannel agreement.”

“The NDF and the GRP agreed to this measure in the interim in order to move the talks forward and improve the atmosphere for negotiations after the impasse last February,” an NDFP statement issued after Bello’s press briefing said.

Nonetheless, the NDFP negotiating panel said it is willing to be flexible and is open to discussing with its counterpart what kind of bilateral ceasefire agreement is desired by the GRP in place of the unilateral ceasefire.

“The NDFP is one with the GRP in desiring to resolve the serious concerns that have been raised in relation to the previous six-month unilateral ceasefires, mindful that addressing these issues is crucial to ensuring that any ceasefire agreement in the future would be more effective,” its statement said.

Ready for the talks

Meanwhile, peace negotiators from both parties have started to arrive in this country in time for the scheduled opening of the fourth round of talks in the seaside city of Noordwijk on April 2.

Rearrested NDFP peace consultant Ariel Arbitrario has been released from the Compostela Provincial Jail and is already in this city for the negotiations.

Arbitrario’s release came shortly after the New People’s Army released two paramilitary troopers in Davao Oriental as a goodwill measure for the coming talks.

Both parties said they will continue their “very difficult” negotiations for a comprehensive agreement on socio-economic reforms and a joint ceasefire document.

The venue of the fourth round of talks will be held in Noordwijk to allow NDFP chief political consultant Jose Ma. Sison’s participation.

Sison is steadily regaining his health after weeks of hospitalization due to pulmonary problems.

The Royal Norwegian Government is third party facilitator to the GRP-NDFP peace process. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

MART D. SAMBALUD – DAVAO TODAY
Mar. 27, 2017

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—As the fourth round of peace talks draws near between government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, a militant lawmaker urged farmers on Monday to rally behind the working draft on Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms.

Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao said CASER, which was drafted by the NDFP, is pushing for the welfare of the country’s poor farmers.

“We urge traditional farmers’ organization, irrigators associations, municipal, city andprovincial farmers associations and rural-based groups to support the NDFP’s CASER as it sincerely pushes for the welfare of poor peasants in the country, as well as, genuine development in the countryside,” Casilao said.

NDFP’s CASER has been viewed as the “heart and soul” of the GRP-NDFP peace talks because it contains contentious issues such as the implementation of the genuine agrarian reform,among others.

The working draft was premised on the country’s state which is “semifeudal and semicolonial” and ‘thus needs genuine agrarian reform, national industrialization and a freeand independent foreign trade and monetary policy for national development.”

According to Casilao, CASER pushes for “free distribution of land” to farmers as stated on Section 7, of Part I, Declaration of Principles.

Specifically, it stated that “the Parties realize the need for immediate common and separate/unilateral measures to undertake agrarian reform in order to dismantle land monopoly and to distribute land to the tillers for free.”

Apart from the free distribution of land, CASER also promotes rural industrialization as stated in Article X, of Agrarian Reform and Rural Development under Part III, Developing the National Economy.

Under Section 1, it states “the provision of more farm technicians, agricultural credit to thetillers, post-harvest facilities, marketing agencies, irrigation systems, and farm-to-market roads shall be an integral part of the agrarian reform program.”

With this, Casilao urged officials of local government units in the provinces to support the draft agreement as he also emphasized that the socio-economic reforms agenda is an opening for fundamental reforms in the country and to address the root causes of the armed conflict involving the New People’s Army.

“Majority of the NPA are farmers who were victimized by displacement, feudal and semi-feudal forms of exploitation, driven to bear arms to fight oppression and exploitation,”Casilao said.

“The peace talks remain to serve as an opportunity towards a just and lasting peace in the country, an NDFP-version [of the] agreement on socio-economic reforms will certainly benefit the rural population that is more than half of the country’s, along with, we call for a stop to continued killing of farmers and militarization of communities in the countryside,” Casilao added.(davaotoday.com)

DAVAO TODAY
Mar. 25, 2017

 DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Communist Party of the Philippines is expected to issue a unilateral declaration of interim ceasefire not later than March 31 in support of the fourth round of peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) set on April 2-6 in The Netherlands.

In a statement, the CPP announced it will issue a unilateral ceasefire before the fourth round of talks and said it looks forward to a similar unilateral ceasefire declaration by the GRP as mutually agreed upon in the March 10-11 backchannel talks in Utrecht, in the Netherlands.

It also urged the government to “slow down its ongoing all-out offensive military operations” to create a favorable atmosphere for the mutual ceasefire.

The CPP added that it is anticipating the release of 19 elderly and sick political prisoners and five detained NDFP consultants as agreed by both Parties in Utrecht.

The CPP said the determination of the government and the NDFP to continue the talks and accelerate the negotiations on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms (CAPCR) can result to a completion of the agreements “within the year through earnest negotiations.”

“There is pressing need to complete these agreements especially in the face of mounting mass actions by workers, peasants and other oppressed sectors calling for genuine land reform, higher wages, job security, decent housing and increased social spending,” the CPP said.

“Through peace negotiations, the Duterte government and the NDFP can unite on addressing the pressing socio-economic problems confronting the Filipino people amid the worsening crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal system and the global capitalist system,” it added.

Difficult negotiations

The CPP admitted that while they support the forging of a bilateral ceasefire, they are anticipating “difficult negotiations.”

According to the Joint Statement signed on March 11 in Utrecht, the Parties agree to forge an interim bilateral ceasefire agreement which shall take effect after the terms of reference and other considerations shall have been settled.

“In forging the interim bilateral ceasefire agreement, the Parties shall take due consideration of the issues and concerns raised by each Party in relation to the previous 6-month (August 2016 to February 2017) unilateral ceasefire of the other Party. In the meantime, the Parties agree to reinstate their respective unilateral ceasefires which shall take effect before the scheduled fourth round of talks in April 2017 as soon as their respective forces shall have been informed,”it added.

Prior to President Rodrigo Duterte’s cancellation of the talks on February 4, following the announcement that the CPP and NPA will lift its unilateral ceasefire agreement, a meeting between the GRP and NDFP was already scheduled on February 22-25, specifically to discuss a bilateral ceasefire agreement. The meeting was agreed upon by the parties after the successful third round of talks in Rome, Italy last January.

The government peace panel believes that a bilateral ceasefire agreement “would set the ground rules on cessation of hostilities that could minimize, if not eliminate, the armed violence that affects communities.”

However, the CPP and NPA cited among the reasons for lifting their unilateral ceasefire the unfulfilled obligations of releasing political prisoners and encroachment of government troops in territories claimed by the Communists.

Release of prisoners of war

Meanwhile, the CPP said at least four other prisoners of war are set to be released by the NPAs in Surigao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat and Bukidnon province.

“Their releases are being impeded by ongoing military and police operations in the area. The CPP urges the local commands of the AFP and PNP to stand down and coordinate with third-party facilitators to pave the way for the releases,” it said.

Two members of the Cafgu Active Auxiliary were released Friday by the NPAs in Mati City. Rene Doller and Carl Mark Nucos were captured by the NPA last February 14 in Lupon, Davao Oriental. (davaotoday.com)

ANC News Channel
March 22, 2017

Rey Claro Casambre, the Executive Director of the Philippine Peace Center is interviewed on ANC by Christian Esguerra on the 4th round of formal peace talks set on April 2 to 6, 2017 in The Netherlands.

See the full video coverage of the interview below:

Kilab Multimedia
February 7, 2017

As heads of national government agencies tasked to address poverty and improve the quality of life of the Filipino, we believe that the GRP should move the peace negotiations with the NDFP forward. The current agenda on the table, the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), is the most substantive agenda in the negotiations and is key to lasting peace and long-term poverty eradication. We are one with the peace advocates, legislators, and individuals who urge both parties to resume the talks. We will continue to engage within the Cabinet and the rest of the administration towards the resumption of the talks and to strengthen the civilian voice in the peace process.

After 15 years of impasse, the peace negotiations have made historic strides on many fronts. This time, by pursuing peace, and through the political will of President Duterte, the talks have been productive. The Government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines have never been closer in their articulation of a shared vision of a society that addresses the root causes of war – poverty and inequality.

In the 3rd round of talks in Rome, both parties surpassed earlier expectations and were able to exchange initial views on their respective drafts of the CASER. They have reached a common understanding of the problems the agrarian unrest in the country and have agreed in principle to the free distribution of land to farmers and farm workers. Both parties also reached a decision to accelerate the negotiation process through simultaneous discussions of technical working committees of the remaining substantive agenda, as the discussion on the CASER commences.

The Reciprocal Working Groups on Political and Constitutional Reforms (RWGs-PCR) were able to exchange views on the proposal to form a federal form of government and the need for safeguards and constitutional guarantees as demanded by the people.

Both parties were looking forward to meeting again in the fourth round of talks to flesh out these agreements and move to address the issues of land reform and rural development, national industrialization and economic growth, access to social services, patrimony and sovereignty.

While the government carries on with negotiating the agreements, the agencies under the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster are working on the direct, immediate and substantial benefits that are advantageous to the poor and the marginalized sectors of the society.

Recognizing the urgent need for genuine change, the President has made a commitment to lift nine million Filipinos out of poverty by the end of his term. The statement adds weight to the Government’s work in implementing a genuine agrarian reform, building its industries, and promoting social welfare and development as an integral part of poverty alleviation.

The foremost concern of both parties in the peace negotiations is the interest of the Filipino people to address the roots of poverty and achieve a just and lasting peace. It is unfortunate that the talks have now come to a standstill. Let each side come to terms with the compelling reasons why we have come to the negotiating table in the first place. For it is the welfare of the poor Filipinos, in their millions, that is at the core of the peace negotiations. Let us give just and lasting peace a chance. Continue the GRP-NDF peace talks and pursue socio-economic and political reforms for the people.

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February 1st, 2017

The last six months have given us a glimpse of the sort of peace that could emanate from the cessation of hostilities brought about by the re-opening of formal negotiations and the declaration of unilateral ceasefires by the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front (NDF).

Violent clashes between the parties have gone down; displaced peoples and communities, particularly indigenous peoples, have begun returning to their homes; and economic investments and vital services have begun to flow into conflict-affected areas. Beyond these, our law enforcers have also been able to focus their attention to other serious criminal and terrorist threats.

It is, therefore, regrettable that the New People’s Army (NPA) has decided to withdraw their unilateral ceasefire effective 10 February 2017.

The Government Panel negotiating peace with the National Democratic Front firmly believes that the unilateral ceasefire declared by both parties in August last year was instrumental in moving the peace process forward. The ceasefire has also provided our people the opportunity to participate in the bigger peace table, enabling them to voice out their positions on the ongoing negotiations.

Hence, despite the NPA’s withdrawal of their ceasefire declaration, the Government Peace Panel has recommended to the President that we stand by our unilateral ceasefire.

We look forward to meeting with our NDF counterparts for the fourth round of talks in April and to discuss the possibility of a bilateral ceasefire agreement on February 22, as agreed upon during the third round of talks held in Rome.

It is our belief that such ceasefire agreement would set the ground rules on cessation of hostilities that could minimize, if not eliminate, the armed violence that affects communities.

In the meantime, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) shall continue to provide protection and relief from the potential renewal of violence resulting from the NPA’s recent declaration.

We shall also endeavour to continue the peace-building and development efforts in conflict areas with local government units at the forefront, supported by national agencies in the delivery of basic services to our people.

Finally, we encourage all Filipinos to add their voices to the growing clamour of those directly affected by violent conflict, for continuing the ceasefire, and the chance to actively participate in the discussion for socio-economic and political reforms vital to the success of a final political settlement. ###

News posted on OPAPP website
dated Tuesday, Jul 26th, 2016

PASIG CITY—President Rodrigo R. Duterte announced on Monday, July 25, a unilateral ceasefire with the communist rebels to be effective immediately.

“To immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities, and provide enabling environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks, I am now announcing a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP/NPA/NDF [Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front] effective immediately,” said President Duterte during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) held in Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

The President urged the communist rebels “to end these decades of ambuscades and skirmishes” describing them to be “getting bloodier by the day.”

“Let me make this appeal to you, if we cannot as yet, love one another, then in God’s name, let us not hate each other too much,” he added.

Still firm on his principle of inclusivity, President Duterte also appealed to our Moro brothers and sisters, alongside the communist rebels, to stop the fighting and help realize their shared desire for peace.

Ready to reciprocate

The President during his SONA also asked the “NDF and its forces [the NPAs] to respond accordingly” to his call.

In a letter addressed to Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, chair of the government peace panel negotiating with the NDF, sent immediately after the President’s SONA, NDF peace panel chair Luis Jalandoni welcomed the President’s announcement of the unilateral ceasefire and declared the NDFP’s own readiness to reciprocate as soon as they receive the full text of the ceasefire declaration.

The communist group also gave the assurance that “NDFP shared with President Duterte the determination to work for a just and lasting peace” in the country.

Jalandoni also looked forward to the resumption of the formal talks in August where both panels are expected to “exchange ceasefire declarations in order to discuss and agree further on how to make them effective.”

Road to peace

Earlier, President Duterte approved the peace roadmap for the country, which included the resumption of peace negotiations with the said communist group.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus G. Dureza explained that the parties are looking at August 20 for the resumption of the formal round of negotiations in Oslo, Norway. The Royal Norwegian Government will continue serving as talks’ third party facilitator.

At the same time, the President directed the Secretary of Justice and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs “to do everything within its power and authority” to effect the temporary release and travel of some CPP/NPA/NDF personalities who will participate in the Oslo talks pursuant to the previously signed Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees or JASIG.

Leading the government negotiating panel is Secretary Bello, with panel members former Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza; former Commission on Elections Commissioner Rene Sarmiento; and lawyers Noel Felongco, and Angela Librado.

Prior to his formal assumption in office, Duterte sent a team composed of Dureza, Bello, and Braganza to hold preliminary meetings with the NDF panel to discuss the reopening of the peace talks and its agenda.

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JOINT STATEMENT of Secretaries Rafael V. Mariano (DAR), Judy M. Taguiwalo (DSWD) and (Liza L. Maza NAPC) on the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)
Kilab Multimedia
February 7, 2017

Statement of GRP Panel Chair Silvestre H. Bello III on CPP/NPA/NDF’s Cancellation of Unilateral Ceasefire
Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
February 1st, 2017

Duterte declares unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels
News posted on OPAPP website
dated Tuesday, Jul 26th, 2016

Kodao Productions
March 9, 2017

NATIONAL Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel member Benito Tiamzon and consultants Wilma Austria Tiamzon and Vicente Ladlad will soon leave for Europe to participate in the ongoing backchannel talks with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP).

In a speech at the National Defense College earlier today, Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also announced Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza has left for Europe last night to lead the GRP delegation in the talks for the possible resumption of formal peace negotiations between the parties.

“Yesterday, Secretary Dureza left for Europe again. And, last night, we allowed the departure of Benito and Wilma Tiamzon and Mr. Ladlad to do some back-channelling,” Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana said the government is listening to the public clamor for the resumption of the peace negotiations.

President Rodrigo Duterte announced last Tuesday informal talks are being held to resume the formal negotiations he suspended last month.

“Hang on…Do not spoil. I must admit there’s a back-channelling,” Duterte told reporters in a chance interview.

NDFP Negotiating Panel chairperson Fidel Agcaoili for his part said the six government troopers captured by the New People’s Army will soon be freed as soon as the GRP orders the suspension of military and police operations in areas where the releases are to be held.

Agcaoili said the release of captured GRP soldiers is proof of NDFP’s good faith in the ongoing back-channel negotiations. (Report and photo by Raymund B. Villanueva)

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Feb 23 2017 04:28 PM | Updated as of Feb 23 2017 04:49 PM

 (See video at http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/23/17/ndfp-consultant-peace-talks-still-on-duterte-admin-shows-positive-signs )

MANILA- As far as the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is concerned, the peace talks are still on.
NDFP consultant Rey Casambre said despite the pronouncements of President Rodrigo Duterte, talks are still on since there are certain protocols that have to be met before the talks can be terminated.

“As far as the NDFP is concerned, the talks have not been cancelled or terminated. There are certain protocols, certain requirements before the talks or peace negotiations can be said to be terminated,” Casambre said in an interview on “Mornings@ANC.”

Casambre added that the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) is also still in effect since they have not received any written notice of termination.
Earlier this month, Duterte announced the termination of the peace talks following a series of armed clashes between soldiers and rebel forces.

Duterte also called on communist leaders that were temporarily freed to participate in the talks to go home and return to prison.

Casambre said the “aggressive language” of President Duterte is nothing new and added that they have seen “very positive signals” from the government in recent days.

“There are still exchanges of ideas and comments and in fact, recently, we’ve seen very positive signals from Duterte and Dureza,” he said.

Scheduled talks between the communist movement and the government panel were supposed to start on Wednesday.

Despite the tension between the two panels, Casambre said he remains hopeful that peace talks would soon resume as well as talks for a bilateral ceasefire.

“It’s just a matter of time I think. The channels are open for them to be able to set these meeting and finally hammer out not only the bilateral ceasefire but how to proceed with the fourth round of talks,” Casambre said.