By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Chief Political Consultant
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
Rome, 19 January 2017

Her Excellency, Ambassador Elisabeth Slattom, special envoy of the Royal Norwegian Government to the Philippine Peace Process, and His Excellency Ambassador Grydeland, envoy to Italy,

Beloved Compatriots in the Negotiating Panels and Delegations of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, and

Distinguished guests and friends,

As Chief Political Consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, I reiterate to all of you the warmest greetings and best wishes of the NDFP for solidarity and peace in the new year and deep gratitude to the Royal Government of Norway for facilitating this third round of formal talks in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations and to the Government of Italy for cooperating and letting Rome be the venue.

As in the previous two rounds of formal talks in Oslo, I continue to declare that the two negotiating panels can negotiate in a nonadversarial way and overcome any obstacle by addressing the roots of the armed conflict and seeking to satisfy the demands of the people for basic social, economic and political reforms in order to lay the foundation of a just and lasting peace and build a Philippines that is truly independent, democratic, just, prosperous and progressive.

In my telephone conversation with President Duterte last month, we discussed in earnest how to make the GRP-NDFP negotiations successful. I am pleased that President Duterte has publicly expressed few days ago the wish to meet with me at a certain point after the third round of formal talks and to take necessary measures to ensure further advance of the peace negotiations.

It is important that at every round of formal talks, the GRP and NDFP review and require compliance with the already existing agreements. Each side has its own concerns regarding these. The NDFP is grateful for last year’s release of the NDFP consultants detained in violation of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). The NDFP continues to expect the release of the hundreds of political prisoners in compliance with the CARHRIHL and JASIG.

The concurrent or reciprocal unilateral declarations of ceasefire by the GRP and NDFP can be easily turned into a more stable bilateral ceasefire if the GRP complies with the CARHRIHL by releasing all political prisoners listed by the NDFP who have been unjustly and wrongly imprisoned on trumped up charges of common crimes. The most effective remedy for such release is through general amnesty as President Duterte himself told the NDFP emissary in May 2016.

In view of the apparent political rehabilitation of the fascist dictator Marcos with his burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the NDFP has been concerned about adverse consequences to the provisions in CARHRIHL for justice and indemnification of the victims of human rights and violations during the Marcos regime. It seeks an assurance from President Duterte and the GRP that said provisions will continue to be respected and complied with.

The NDFP is seriously concerned with violations of the CARHRIHL and the unilateral ceasefire arising from Oplan Bayanihan and Oplan Kapayapaan and from the anti-drugs campaign Oplan Tokhang and Double Barrel. In this regard, we the NDFP expect the GRP to comply with CARHRIHL.The Joint Monitoring Committee received complaints for investigation and appropriate action.

Ahead of the third round of formal talks, the Filipinos are expecting the Reciprocal Working Committees on Social and Economic Reforms to make a significant advance. Both RWCs have already fleshed out the common outline of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) and can indeed make a significant headway in the current round in reconciling their respective draft and agree on how to accelerate the unification of the drafts by holding bilateral draft sessions by teams before the fourth round.

The prospect is in sight that within six months the CASER shall already be ready for signing by the panels and everyone will understand how genuine land reform, national industrialization and expansion of social services shall be realized. The GRP and NDFP should be truly interested in social, economic and political reforms. The Filipino people want to end the oppressive and exploitative ruling system dominated by foreign monopoly capitalists, domestic landlords and capitalist bureaucrats.

With regard to political and constitutional reforms, the NDFP holds the view that there are good and viable examples of both unitary and federal forms of state. A federal system of government is not necessarily good or better than a unitary form of state, especially when it carries over from an already rotten unitary form of state certain malignancies and does not have constitutional guarantees against the penchant of the oligarchy for puppetry, dictatorship, graft and corruption, dynasty-building and warlordism.

The NDFP is willing to maintain its alliance with the GRP and the Duterte administration in particular by cooperating in the founding of the Federal Republic of the Philippines, creating a parliamentary system and making a new constitution that upholds, defends and promotes national independence, democracy, economic development, social justice, cultural progress, independent foreign policy and international solidarity with peoples and all countries for peace and development.

The Reciprocal Working Groups on Political and Constitutional Reforms of both panels have already finished and exchanged their drafts of the Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms. They have advanced ahead of schedule. There is plenty of time to enrich and polish these drafts even while CASER is still being negotiated. It will not be surprising if after the signing of the CASER by the panels, it will take one or two rounds of talks or some three months after the forging or CASER to finish the CAPCR for signing by the panels.

The advantage of having the CASER and CAPCR signed and approved by the principals within the first two years of the Duterte government is that these agreements shall be implemented for at least two years before the end of said government. If implemented to the satisfaction of the Filipino people and the NDFP, these agreements shall lay the full basis of the Comprehensive Agreement on the End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces as early as 2020-21. The leaders, officers and troops of the warring parties can expect to benefit from a mutual general amnesty.

The Filipino people, the NDFP and its forces continue to hope that the peace negotiations will successfully pass through the following tests and phases: the amnesty and release of all political prisoners in compliance with CARHRIHL, the forging of CASER and CAPCR, the implementation of the three priorly cited agreements and the forging and finalization of the EHDF.

In various ways, President Duterte can prove in real and concrete terms that he is truly a patriotic and progressive president and fights against the imperialists and oligarchs for the benefit of the people. The GRP-NDFP peace process is one of the best ways to do so. And other ways follow easily, when the good agreements are implemented and the broad masses of the people are aroused, organized and mobilized to act for their own good along the national and democratic line. Thank you.

 ###

19 January 2017

By Fidel V. Agcaoili
Chairperson
Negotiating Panel of the NDFP

Your Excellencies from the Royal Norwegian Government and the Government of Italy,

Dear Countrymen in the Negotiating Panels and Delegations of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines,

Esteemed guests,

Let me first thank the Royal Norwegian Government for its continuing support to the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations and to the Government of Italy for allowing the third round of talks to be held in Rome.

Our panel comes to this third round ever ready to push the negotiations forward and even accelerate the process of forging mutually acceptable comprehensive agreements on the most important topics of Socio-economic Reforms (SER) and Political and Constitutional Reforms (PCR).

But our panel is also mindful of the fact that certain serious obstacles remain to be hurdled if mutual trust and confidence are to be maintained so that the negotiations can move forward.

We have repeatedly raised the issue of the release of all the NDFP-listed political prisoners as a matter of obligation on the part of the GRP under CARHRIHL. We have also been repeatedly assured by our colleagues on the other side of the table. But sadly, close to 400 of these political prisoners remain in jail.

We clearly state today that the release of the above-mentioned political prisoners should not be seen as a mere confidence-building measure or a gift to the NDFP. It is an obligation of the GRP under CARHRIHL. Neither should the political prisoners be treated as trump cards to extract concessions from the NDFP. Such conduct is bound to further erode mutual trust and confidence.

We have also raised with the other side our concerns over other violations of CARHRIHL and JASIG such as the non-resolution of the enforced disappearance and murder of JASIG-protected NDFP personnel during the Arroyo regime; betrayal of trust in the continued imprisonment of three JASIG-protected NDFP consultants who have been promised presidential pardon; surveillance and harassment of recently released consultants participating in the ongoing peace negotiations; continuing military operations that terrorize communities under the guise of peace and development projects of Oplan Bayanihan; arbitrariness and absence of due process in the anti-drugs campaign; and the failure to compensate victims of martial law.

It is for these reasons that the NDFP panel has requested to place compliance with CARHRIHL and JASIG as the first item on the agenda for this third round.

After this, we can proceed to the all-important task of working on the drafts which have been exchanged by the RWC-SER and RWG-PCR.

As I have said earlier, the NDFP panel is willing to accelerate the process of forging mutually acceptable comprehensive agreements on SER and PCR so that we can move on to the phase of implementation within the period of the Duterte government.

We must prove to our people that these negotiations will indeed bring about genuine change. They are tired of broken promises from politicians and the failed policies of previous GRP regimes.

While we hope for the acceleration of the process, we must also be realistic and be ready for the possibility that the negotiations may take longer than we hope for. We are happy and grateful for having the assurance of the Royal Norwegian Government of their continuing commitment to support our peace negotiations.

I reiterate the determination of our panel to do everything necessary to make these negotiations a success. We owe it to our people.

Thank you.

 ###

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

(Click at link to view video: 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.

Signatories

Members of the Makabayan bloc file new resolution for the resumption of “PeaceTalk” at the House Bills and Index Office in Congress on Thursday. Photo by: DARREN LANGIT

RAPPLER.COM : by Mara Cepeda
February 09, 2017

MANILA, Philippines – A total of 102 lawmakers led by the House Makabayan bloc signed a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to continue the peace negotiations with communist rebels.

The Makabayan bloc legislators filed House Resolution (HR) Number 769 on Thursday, February 9. Four days before, the President scrapped the peace talks after the New People’s Army (NPA) withdrew from a 5-month-old ceasefire.

The government also issued a notice to cancel an agreement giving some rebels immunity from arrest – the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). (READ: Rebels reject ‘improper’ notice to cancel talks, JASIG)

According to the congressmen, the President should continue the peace talks because the “Duterte administration [has] reached remarkable and unparalleled headway” compared to past administrations.

“Terminating the same would only put to waste the unprecedented, positive and substantial gains the peace talks have reached,” said the lawmakers.

“It is highly imperative that this Congress hear the Filipino people’s desire to support the resumption of the peace negotiations. It is just and lasting peace itself that is the very compelling reason to continue the peace negotiations,” they added.

Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate said there is a 30-day window before the cancellation of the JASIG will take place.

“Kami ay may nakikita pang puwang na may mababalik sa track ang peace process. At kailangang samantalahin natin ang opportunity na ito,” said Zarate in a press conference.

(We still see a window for the peace process to get back on track. We need to take advantage of this opportunity.)

The full list of lawmakers who signed HR 769 as of early afternoon of February 9 are as follows:

1. Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez, South Cotabato 2nd District

2. Deputy Speaker Eric Singson, Ilocos Sur 2nd District

3. Arlene Brosas, Gabriela Women’s Party (Makabayan)

4. France Castro, ACT Teachers (Makabayan)

5. Ariel Casilao, Anakpawis (Makabayan)

6. Emmi de Jesus, Gabriela Women’s Party (Makabayan)

7. Sarah Elago, Kabataan (Makabayan)

8. Antonio Tinio, ACT Teachers (Makabayan)

9. Carlos Isagani Zarate, Bayan Muna (Makabayan)

10. Harlin Neil Abayon III, Aangat Tayo

11. Rodrigo Abellanosa, Cebu City 2nd District

12. Pedro Acharon, South Cotabato 1st District

13. Maria Lourdes Aggabao, Isabela 4th District

14. Rodolfo Albano III, Isabela 1st Distrct

15. Jorge Almonte, Misamis Occidental 1st District

16. Michaelina Antonio, Agbiag

17. Arlene Arcillas-Nazareno, Laguna 1st District

18. Rosemarie Arenas, Pangasinan 3rd District

19. Erico Aumentado, Bohol 2nd Distrct

20. Leopoldo Bataoil, Pangasinan 2nd District

21. Rodel Batocabe, AKO Bicol

22. Jose Christopher Belmonte, Quezon City 6th District

23. Joseph Sto Niño Bernos, Abra

24. John Bertiz, ACTS-OFW

25. Lianda Bolilia, Batangas 4th Distrct

26. Gabriel Bordado Jr, Camarines Sur 3rd District

27. Anthony Bravo, COO-NATCCO

28. Maria Vida Espinosa-Bravo, Masbate 1st Distrct

29. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, Apayao

30. Luis Campos, Makati City 2nd District

31. Sabiniana Canama, COOP-NATCCO

32. Aurora Enerio-Cerilles, Zamboanga del Sur 2nd District

33. Maria Theresa Collantes, Batangas 3rd District

34. Jonas Cortes, Cebu 3rd District

35. Vincent Crisologo, Quezon City 1st District

36. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, Nueva Vizcaya

37. Leo Rafael Cueva, Negros Occidental 2nd District

38. Eugene de Vera, Arts Business and Science Professionals

39. Raul del Mar, Cebu City 1st District

40. Monsour del Rosario, Makati City 1st District

41. Cherry Deloso-Montalla, Zambales 2nd District

42. Ramon Durano VI, Cebu 5th District

43. Napolen Dy, Isabela 3rd District

44. Sandra Eriguel, La Union 2nd District

45. Evelina Escudero, Sorsogon 1st District

46. Juliet Ferrer, Negros Occidental 4th District

47. Lawrence Fortun, Agusan del Norte 1st District

48. Alfredo Garbin Jr, AKO Bicol

49. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, Compostela Valley 2nd District

50. Fernando Gonzalez, Albay 3rd District

51. Alexandria Gonzales, Mandaluyong

52. Mark Go, Baguio City

53. Seth Frederick Jalosjos, Zamboanga del Norte 1st Distrt

54. Elisa Kho, Masbate 2nd District

55. Virgilio Lacson, MANILA Teachers

56. Edcel Lagman, Albay 1st Distrct

57. Delphine Lee, AGRI

58. Benjur Lopez Jr, YACAP

59. Dale Malapitan, Caloocan City 1st Distrct

60. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, Kalinga

61. Rodante Marcoleta, 1-SAGIP

62. Evelyn Plaza-Mellana, Agusan del Sur

63. Raymond Mendoza, TUCP

64. Alejandro Mirasol, Negros Occidental 5th District

65. Ramon Nolasco, Cagayan 1st Distrct

66. Henry Oaminal, Misamis Occidental 2nd District

67. Eric Olivarez, Parañaque 1st Distrct

68. Edwin Ong, Northern Samar 2nd Distrct

69. Pablo Ortega, La Union

70. Rogelio Pacquiao, Sarangani

71. Joseph Stephen Paduano, Abang Lingkod

72. Wilter Palma, Zamboanga Sibugay 1st Distrct

73. Jose Panganiban Jr. ANAC-IP

74. Marisol Panotes, Camarines Norte 2nd District

75. Mauyag Papandayan Jr, Lanao del Sur

76. Johnny Pimentel, Surigao del Sur 2nd District

77. Enrico Pineda, 1PACMAN

78. Aileen Radaza, Lapu-Lapu City

79. Isidro Rodriguez Jr, Rizal 2nd District

80. Geraldine Roman, Bataan 1st Distrct

81. Harry Roque, Kabayan

82. Rogelio Roque, Bukidnon 4th District

83. Jesus Sacdalan, Cotabato 1st District

84. Ron Salo, Kabayan

85. Orestes Salon, AGRI

86. Joey Salceda, Albay 2nd District

87. Federico Sandoval II, Malabon

88. Vilma Santos-Recto, Batangas 6th District

89. Deogracias Victor Savellano, Ilocos Sur 1st District

90. Bai Sandra Sema, Maguindanao 1st District

91. Frederick Siao, Iligan

92. Anna Marie Villaraza-Suarez, ALONA

93. Jose Tejada, Cotabato 3rd District

94. Randolph Ting, Cagayan 3rd District

95. Arnel Ty, LPGMA

96. Carlos Roman Uybarreta, 1-CARE

97. Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso, Cagayan 2nd District

98. Rosanna Vergara, Nueva Ecija 3rd District

99. Noel Villanueva, Tarlac 3rd District

100. Micaela Violago, Nueva Ecija 2nd District

101. Melecio Yap, Negros Occidental 1st District

102. Manuel Zubiri, Bukidnon 3rd District

– Rappler.com

Kodao Productions
February 7, 2017

PEACE spoilers won the day, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) chief peace negotiator said of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines’ (GRP) “cancellation” of the formal peace talks and termination of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) today.

Fidel Agcaoili blamed “spoilers in the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the neoliberal globalization members in the cabinet” for the collapse of their once promising peace talks with the Duterte government.

“They have managed to persuade the President (Rodrigo Duterte) to tow the line of the United States (US) or be dealt with,” Agcaoili said.

Agcaoli said the NDFP has received by electronic mail the written notice of termination of the JASIG by the GRP through Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza.

“We intend to acknowledge it soon to enable the 30-day grace period to run before it becomes effective,” Agcaoili said.

The JASIG requires 30 days before its termination is deemed in effect.

Not the first time

Agcaoili also said it is not the first time that the NDFP, the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (NPA) has been threatened with an all-out war.

Department of National Defense (DND) secretary Delfin Lorenzana also announced earlier today GRP’s all-out war against the NPA.

“This is not the first time that such a declaration has been made against the revolutionary movement. First was by (Ferdinand) Marcos, then Cory Aquino, Joseph Estrada, and many DND/Ministry of National Defense secretaries-ministers and AFP chiefs of staff since,” Agcaoili said.

“As before, we shall weather Lorenza’s declaration and gain strength. The revolutionary will persist and continue the struggle for the national and social liberation of the Filipino people until a just and lasting peace is achieved in the country,” he added.

Talks resumption possible

Agcaoili however did not dismiss the possibility of resumption of formal peace negotiations with the current Manila government.

“There are many ways of resuming the talks. The GRP knows these. There can be back-channelling talks to iron things out,” Agcaoili said.

Agcaoili however cautioned the GRP that it should no longer insist on a bilateral ceasefire declaration as a precondition to the resumption of formal negotiations.

“It’s really up to the GRP. But they should not come demanding ceasefire in exchange for the resumption,” Agcaoili said.

“They (GRP) should understand that we are not intimidated. They have promises to keep and we shall not withdraw from these,” he added.

Both parties agreed to an informal talk to negotiate on a possible bilateral ceasefire agreement in The Netherlands on February 22 and to a fourth round of formal negotiations in Norway starting April 2.

Cabinet members for peace

Meanwhile, three Leftist cabinet secretaries urged the GRP and the NDFP to proceed with the peace process despite the current “standstill.”

In a statement, Agrarian Reform secretary Rafael Mariano, Social Work and Community Development secretary Judy Taguiwalo and Anti-Poverty Commission chairperson Liza Masa said they believe the GRP should move the peace negotiations with the NDFP forward.

“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 officials said.

“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,” the three explained.

The leftist secretaries said they will continue to engage within the Duterte cabinet and the rest of the administration towards the resumption of the talks and to strengthen the civilian voice in the peace process.

“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,” they said.

“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,” Mariano, Taguiwalo and Masa said. (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Kodao Productions
February 7, 2017

 THE Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) formally served the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) notice of termination of their Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).

In a letter dated today, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza also told NDFP chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison and NDFP Negotiating Panel chairperson Fidel Agcaoili of the GRP’s “cancellation” of the peace talks.

“Following the President’s (Rodrigo Duterte) announcement of the cancellation of the peace talks with the CPP/NPA/NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/NDFP) and per his instructions, the Government (GRP) is hereby serving this notice of the termination of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG),” the letter said.

In a subsequent statement issued by his office, Dureza referred to Duterte’s earlier labelling of the Left as “terrorists.”

“The Government will continue its vigilance in the preservation of law and order and in protecting our people against insurgent activities and threats of terrorism,” Dureza’s statement said.

The NDFP has yet to respond to Dureza’s letter and statement.

Dureza, GRP Negotiating Panel chairperson Silvestre Bello III, Agcaoili and Sison were co-signatories of the 1995 agreement.

Signed on February 24, 1995 in Nieuwegein, The Netherlands, the JASIG came into effect after the respective approval by NDFP Chairperson Mariano Orosa on April 10, 1995 and GRP President Fidel Ramos on April 25, 1995.

The agreement was intended to protect negotiators, consultants, staffers, security and other personnel who participate in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations.

JASIG was also intended “to facilitate the peace negotiations, create a favorable atmosphere conducive to free discussion and free movement during the negotiations, and avert any incident that may jeopardize the peace process.”

“Without the JASIG, negotiations would not be possible. Without the JASIG, persons involved in the negotiations would always feel or actually be under a cloud of threat and would be unable to perform their functions freely,” human rights group Karapatan said of the JASIG on its website.

The negotiations would always be at risk of being disrupted and totally jeopardized without the JASIG, Karapatan said.

The JASIG allows one party to terminate the agreement through a written notice given by one party to the other.

“In (such an) event, this Joint Agreement shall be deemed terminated 30 days after receipt of the notice of termination,” the agreement said.

According to JASIG, the termination shall take effect on March 9.

Repeatedly violated by the GRP

The NDFP has repeatedly accused the GRP of violating JASIG with the arrest of its peace consultants and personnel.

The GRP judiciary has released 19 NDFP peace consultants last August that enabled them to participate in the three formal rounds of talks in Norway and Italy.

Duterte has verbally ordered their rearrest, however, in an outburst last February 5 in Cagayan de Oro City.

The NDFP for its part said Duterte and the GRP executive branch has no jurisdiction over the released consultants but the respective trial courts where complaints are lodged against them.

Yesterday, combined GRP military and police elements arrested peace consultant Ariel Arbitrario in Davao City, bringing to four NDFP consultants under GRP custody even before Dureza’s notice and the JASIG’s termination on March 9. (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Repost from GMA News Online
Published February 3, 2017 7:17pm

Even before President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the government’s ceasefire against communist rebels, the Communist Party of the Philippines said it didn’t matter because authorities “have observed no such ceasefire in the past six months.”

“The peasant masses are bearing the brunt of the GRP’s fake ceasefire,” said the group in reference to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Duterte has also made no moves to order the withdrawal of AFP troops from their occupation of at least 500 peasant barrios,” it added.

The communists on Wednesday terminated the unilateral ceasefire effective 11:59 p.m. on February 10.

“The August 28, 2016 unilateral declaration of interim ceasefire issues by the Central Committee of the CPP (CPP-CC) and the National Operations Command of the New People’s Army (NPA)-NOC) is hereby terminated,” said Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, spokesman of the group.

Two days after their pronouncement, Duterte then lifted the government’s ceasefire with the communist rebels during his speech at the launching of Solar Powered Irrigation System in North Cotabato.

“Kagabi, I decided. I called General Año and said, ‘Ni-lift ko ang ceasefire.’ Tonight, wala nang ceasefire,” he said.

Duterte washing hands

The CPP also conveyed its resentment over Duterte’s failure to commit to his promise of releasing all political prisoners.

“Duterte pretends he is merely obliging the AFP in its demands not to release all political prisoners through a presidential amnesty proclamation. He is trying to wash his hands of any culpability,” the communist group said.

Duterte had earlier said the military would oust or kill him if he approved the release of over 400 rebel detainees.

“Kaya ang sabi ko, huwag n’yo akong ipitin because the military might not like it. And then the military would oust me, would kill me, you have nobody talking to you,” he said.

The rebel group claimed that Duterte had “duplicitously promised” amnesty and release to three political prisoners – Eduardo Sarmiento, Emeterio Antalan and Leopoldo Caluza who all remained incarcerated.

They also accused Duterte of “committing a gross denial of justice” to political prisoners over failure to comply with the ‘Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law’ and the ‘Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.’

“For someone claiming to be a Leftist, Duterte would have given more consideration to the people’s cry for justice and end to the military abuses over what he claims are risks to his own life or political power,” the communist rebels said. —Marlly Rome C. Bondoc/JST, GMA News

– See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/598231/news/nation/reds-government-had-fake-ceasefire-under-duterte

Kodao Productions
February 1, 2017

DOHA, Qatar—The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) terminated their unilateral ceasefire declaration of August 28, 2016 with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) today.

In a statement through NPA National Operational Command spokesperson Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, the CPP and NPA said the termination is due to President Rodrigo Duterte’s failure to release more than 200 political prisoners and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) widespread violation of the GRP’s own ceasefire declaration.

Madlos said the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel will notify its GRP counterpart of its decision today.

Their ceasefire declaration shall expire on 11:59 in the evening of February 10.

The termination came after skirmishes that reportedly resulted in the capture of one and the killing of 10 AFP soldiers and the martyrdom of one NPA fighter.

In Makilala, North Cotabato, 39th Infantry Battalion troops of the Philippine Army (PA)overran an NPA encampment last January 21 and killed an NPA guerrilla while reportedly losing eight of its own soldiers. The incident happened while the third round of formal peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP were ongoing in Rome, Italy;
In Surigao del Norte, a PA soldier was captured by the NPA last January 29 for encroaching on their territory;
Three AFP soldiers were reportedly injured after a 15-minute firefight with the NPA last January 30 in Barangay Mat-i, Surigao City; and
In the same day, two AFP troopers were reportedly killed after a skirmish with the NPA in Echague, Isabela.
“The GRP has treacherously taken advantage of the unilateral declaration of interim ceasefire to encroach on the territory of the CPP’s People’s Democratic Government,” Madlos said.

The NPA said GRP troops have occupied 500 barrios across 164 municipalities in 43 provinces that are within authority of their revolutionary government.

“They (AFP) have subjected entire barrios to their armed presence and have committed widespread violations of human rights, such as occupation of people’s homes, barangay halls, day care centers and other civilian structures,” Madlos said.

Madlos added that civilians have suffered threats, intimidations and harassments by AFP troopers that gravely affect the people’s farm productivity, commerce and overall livelihood.

Non-compliance

Madlos said they have also decided to terminate their ceasefire declaration due to Duterte’s failure to fulfil his promise to release hundreds of political prisoners in compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

“The unilateral ceasefire declaration was issued on the mutual understanding with the GRP that such releases will take effect within 60 days of August 28,” Madlos said.

The NPA spokesperson explained that such was the context why the GRP Negotiating Panel approach its NDFP counterpart last October seeking an extension of the CPP and NPA ceasefire declaration with a promise that around 200 political prisoners were to be released.

“The Duterte regime failed to fulfil such obligation even though the CPP obliged it by extending the ceasefire declaration to more than 150 days,” Madlos’ statement said.

“Road to peace is not smooth”

In an earlier statement, GRP Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said they are distressed and extremely disturbed by alleged series of attacks and harassments by suspected NPA elements.

“The unilateral ceasefire was precisely set in place to provide an enabling environment for the ongoing peace talks,” Dureza said.

Dureza said that some in the NDFP leadership are not in full control of their own forces on the ground or they are themselves undermining these efforts for sustainable peace, or pressuring the government for some concessions.

But NDFP chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili said Dureza should stop sowing intrigue among the ranks of the revolutionary forces.

“We strongly advise Secretary Dureza not to raise the bogey of disunity among the ranks of the revolutionary movement,” Agcaoili said.

“The NDFP shall hold the GRP responsible for anything untoward that may happen to the ongoing peace negotiations as a result of its bellicose statements on the actions of the NPA to defend itself and protect communities after the Makilala incident,” Agcaoili said.

The NPA has ordered all its units, militia and self-defense corps to be on active defense mode from today until the expiration of their unilateral ceasefire declaration.

  # (Raymund B. Villanueva)