Lawmakers ask Duterte to resume peace talks with rebels

About 60 lawmakers across party lines at the House of Representatives signed a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to resume peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). (RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

About 60 lawmakers across party lines at the House of Representatives signed a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to resume peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In House Resolution No. 1803, members of the lower house asked the President to continue the peace talks and complete the comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms to lay the basis for a just and lasting peace.

The resolution noted that the peace negotiations under the Duterte administration have reached “remarkable and unparalleled headway” as it has been able to hold four successful rounds compared to previous administrations.

“Continuing the peace talks would benefit the Filipino people most of whom are poor peasants and workers, as the agreements on agrarian reform and national industrialization may address their issues and concerns and help provide relief for their economic hardships,” the resolution read.

The President on November 23 last year signed Proclamation No. 360, which terminates the negotiations with the CPP-NPA [New People’s Army]-NDFP. After he called this off, Duterte issued Proclamation No. 374, declaring CPP-NPA as terrorist organizations on December 5, 2017.

The cancellation was just announced two days before the fifth round of formal talks scheduled on November 25-27, 2017 in Oslo, Norway.

Both the government and NDFP negotiating panels were supposed to discuss the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), and also the agreements on the general amnesty and release of all political prisoners and the coordinated unilateral ceasefires.

The resolution was received by the House on Thursday, March 22, and was signed by congressmen from the supermajority, minority, opposition and militant blocs.

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate expressed optimism, saying that the move and support of lawmakers to the resolution are “very encouraging” in urging the Chief Executive to heed the call for a just peace.

Zarate also called on his colleagues to co-author the resolution “as there is a more urgent need and reason now to continue the GRP-NDFP peace process in the midst of escalating clashes between the military and the communist rebels.”

“Peace negotiations should continue even if both sides have not yet ceased armed hostilities. That is precisely why peace talks must proceed because the two sides are at war. The no ceasefire, no peace talks policy being pushed by the militarists elements in the cabinet practically negates the inherent purpose of a peace negotiation,” Zarate said in a statement.

“We are calling on all peace-loving people to intensify our earnest call for the government and NDFP to give the quest for a just and lasting peace a chance. This is not the time to abandon it, for the greater interest of our country and people,” he added.