The government panel vowed to raise issues about ceasefire violations and abductions allegedly staged by the communist rebels when formal peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) resume next week in Oslo, Norway. “Such violations will be brought up with them [NDF, which encompasses the Communist Party of the Philippines and its military arm New People’s Army] in order to get the proper response," Alexander Padilla, chairman of the government panel, told reporters on Friday. After an impasse of over six years, the peace talks between the government and NDF panels are set to resume on Feb. 15 and end on Feb. 21. Last year on Dec. 20, violence had erupted when NPA rebels allegedly ambushed a government militiaman in Guihilungan town in Negros Oriental. The militiaman, Larry Bustamante, survived the attack, but the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) considered it as a violation of the 19-day ceasefire from Dec. 16, 2010 until Jan. 3, 2011. Similarly, the CPP accused the AFP of ceasefire violation in Occidental Mindoro when Army soldiers allegedly assaulted a house being visited by NPA rebels. The military claimed it was just facilitating the surrender of an NPA member. On the other hand, military and police reported that three to five policemen have been abducted by NPA rebels. “We asked for data or facts concerning these abductions and told our law enforcement agencies that we will raise them as issues and concerns with the NDF," Padilla said at a briefing in Malacañang. Peace ‘achievable in 3 years’ He expressed optimism that the peace talks will finally have a positive result now “because we not only have a very popular administration but I think we have a President who is actually a victim of human rights abuses himself who would understand their plight." “We would want the administration not only to agree, to come to a final political agreement with the CPP-NPA-NDF but also to implement any such decision. We don’t want to burden any other administration in the future," he added. He said it is the opportune time to settle the matter between the government and the communist rebels. “We are not asking that they surrender or capitulate. What we are trying to find is a just, honorable and equitable settlement with the CPP-NPA-NDF but of course aligned with our constitutional and legal processes," Padilla said. The negotiations between the Philippine government and allied revolutionary groups under the NDF have been going on for 24 years. Padilla believes the peace process can be completed, where substantive agreements can be reached, in 18 months or a year and a half. “And peace is achievable in three years if both sides are focused and sincere in finally ending senseless violence," he said. He said as part of the confidence building measures and in the spirit of goodwill, both camps on their own accord will declare a ceasefire or cessation of hostilities. The ceasefire shall be honored for the entire duration of the week-long talks. Working toward ‘end of hostilities’ Padilla said next week’s talks will be the first in a series of meetings that will focus on the remaining substantive agenda agreed upon between the NDF and government such as socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, and the end of hostilities and disposition of forces.
To accelerate the process, working groups on political and constitutional reforms have been organized to discuss the concept, mechanics and schedule. “Hopefully, these will result in agreements on the reforms that need to be pursued and we can proceed to the last step: discussions on the end of hostilities and disposition of forces," said Padilla. He further said the joint monitoring committee will reconvene to discuss matters pertaining to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law or CARHRIHL, the first agreement reached under the substantive agenda. He said both sides have agreed on a “side-table" mechanism where important but non-substantive and procedural issues will be tackled to ensure that the talks will not be bogged down by side issues.– MRT/JV
