Statement of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines
(ICHRP)-Korea Chapter
10 August 2014
The urgency and immensity of the task of getting into formal peace talks cannot be denied by many people from all walks of life in a war or conflict stricken countries like the Philippines. The resumption of peace talks between the government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front (NDFP) is urgent because the armed conflict has been waged by the revolutionary organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People’s Army (NPA) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) for more than 44 years. The peace talks have been stalled since 2011.
In an interview with Luis G. Jalandoni Chairperson of the NDFP negotiating panel said that the NDFP has reiterated its willingness to hold peace negotiations on the basis of respect for and compliance with past agreements. Such compliance would mean release of NDFP Consultants and political prisoners detained in violation of the CARHRIHL and JASIG. CARHRIHL stipulates that political prisoners charged, detained or convicted for common crimes in violation of the Hernandez political offense doctrine ought to be released. The JASIG guarantees immunity from surveillance, arrest, detention and other punitive activities to all participants of both sides in the peace negotiations.
The B.S. Aquino government since the beginning of his term has been disinterested in engaging in peace talks with the NDFP and his offensive stances against peace talks would lead to the deterioration of the social situation in the country. Furthermore he attacked The Hague Joint Declaration as “a document of perpetual division” in talks held in Oslo in 2011. Subsequently, it declared the JASIG “inoperative” in 2012. In its counterinsurgency plan, OPLAN BAYANIHAN, it aims to render the NPA inconsequential through the triad of psychological war, intelligence and combat operations.
In the unity statement of the newly formed KAPAYAPAAN (peace), an alliance of peace advocates mentioned that the government of the Philippines should respect the agreements signed. It cited Former GRP Chief Negotiator Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, who declared in an interview, “The Aquino government must respect the past peace agreements. Otherwise, who would trust a government that does not respect agreements or contracts it has entered into. It should release NDFP Consultants and political prisoners in accordance with CARHRIHL and the JASIG. It should withdraw its attack against The Hague Joint Declaration as “a document of perpetual division”
When asked about the prospects of resumption of GPH-NDFP peace talks, Luis G. Jalandoni said, “The NDFP must continue upholding, defending and advancing the rights of the peasants, workers, women, youth, indigenous people, and other sectors. It has to develop further its capacity to defend their rights and programs. The overall strength of the people and the revolutionary forces is the firm basis for negotiating fundamental social, economic, and political reforms that are needed to achieve and just and lasting peace. The NDFP continues to cooperate with the Royal Norwegian Government, the official Third Party Facilitator of the GPH-NDFP peace negotiations, in conveying its willingness to resume peace talks on the basis of past agreements. It continues to work with peace advocate organizations in the Philippines and abroad. It upholds the validity of the agreements made in the peace negotiations.”
Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum underscored that the peace must have no pre-conditions but both parties must honor previous agreements. He said, “Resume, Honor, Address are our simple calls. If both the GPH and the NDFP heed our calls, we believe that a just and lasting peace could be made a reality.”
The initial list of convenors and signatories to the unity statement of KAPAYAPAAN include, Archbishop Sergio Utleg of Tuguegarao, Archbishop Paciano Aniceto of San Fernando Pampanga, Bishop Narciso Abellana of Romblon, Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos, Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon, Bishop Joel Baylon of Legazpi, Bishop Pedro Arigo of Puerto Princesa, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, Bishop Roberto Mallari of San Jose Nueva Ecija , Bishop Edgardo Juanich of Taytay, Palawan, Bishop Reuel Norman Marigza of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines, Bishop Lito Cruz of the IFI, Rev. Rex Reyes of the National Church of Christ of the Philippines, Bishop Felixberto Calang of the IFI in Mindanao, Bishop Joel Tendero of UCCP-South Luzon Jurisdictional Area, Fr. Ramon Caluza, provincial superior of CICM, Sr,. Maureen Catabian, provincial superior of the Religious of the Good Shepherd, Makabayan president Satur Ocampo, Dr. Carol Pagaduan Araullo of Bayan, Elmer Labog of KMU, former Representatives Mong Palatino and Rafael Mariano, Councilor Leah Librado of Davao City, Atty. Roan Libarios, Joel Lamangan, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, among others.
Together with the convenors and committed persons from the different sectors of society, the International Coordinating Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (Korea Chapter), The Asia Pacific Workers Solidarity Link (APWSL-Korea), The Osan Workers Cultural Center, and The Unity of Filipino Migrant Workers Associations in Korea (KASAMMAKO), urge the NDFP and the GPH to resume formal peace talks with earnestness and urgency. The masses of Filipino who have been suffering from poverty situation, landlessness and unemployment have been waiting for the time when justice and peace becomes a reality in their lives, in their communities and the entire nation.
RESUME PEACE TALKS NOW!
LET JUSTICE AND PEACE REIGN IN THE PHILIPPINES!
STOP EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS!
Signed:
REV. JEONG JIN-WOO
ICHRP-Global Council
REV. JANG CHANG-WEON
APWSL-Korea
CARLO OLIVER
KASAMMAKO
JONES GALANG
Osan Workers Cultural Center
