A return to negotiating table is still our best option

The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict – Southeast Asia (GPPAC-SEA) and the Initiatives for international Dialogue (IID), representing a large section of civil society and peace movements in the Philippines and the region, today, appealed to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front (NDF) to officially return to the negotiating table as the peace process is still the best option to move forward the quest for just and lasting peace in the country. This as recent pronouncements from the government providing a window for resuming exploratory initiatives have been favorably received by the NDF.

The protracted insurgency that unraveled in 1968 has already claimed an estimated 30,000 lives. How many more lives do we have to lose before we say “enough”? If we are to build a genuinely peaceful Philippine society through political negotiation, the parties should instead endeavor to create a more positive enabling environment to further the process.

We are sure that both panels know that principled compromises must be reached to forge ahead. This can start with an open dialogue on the fundamental roots of the conflict, and how both parties can jointly address them. Indeed trust is the starting point for open dialogue. Negotiating parties must get over their differences through efficient and programmatic confidence building measures.

We are glad to learn that ongoing lowkey and back channel talks have reported positive developments. Reports have it that an announcement of a ceasefire by the respective parties and a possible amnesty of NDF members are in the offing. We unequivocally support these initiatives and offer our services and network to accompany this process in whatever way we can. We respectfully reiterate our view that a return to violence will not only hurt both parties and the end recipient of the possible resumption of armed conflict due to the absence of a formal peace process will again be the peoples and communities whom both parties vow and claim to fight for.

To move the peace process more progressively, we urge both parties to instead bank on the substantive agenda of the talks, which have already gained remarkable results before its termination in November 23 last year.In fact, before the cancellation, both panels had already agreed on three (3) common drafts on general amnesty and release of all political prisoners in compliance with Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL); coordinated unilateral ceasefires; and part I Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ARRD) and part II National Industrialization and Economic Development (NIED) of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER). Also, both parties have already drafted an agreement on the coordinated ceasefires, a significant step towards the Comprehensive Agreement on the End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces (CAEHDF).

We fervently hope that by the time the parties decide to resume the peace talks, the welfare of the people isgenuinely at the heart of the dialogue and both parties remain engaged in substantial discussion and debates with the future of whole nation as a primary consideration. Their direct participation in the talks must also be considered as their inputs and voices are essential, if not, vital. The resumption of the GRP-NDF peace process is a significant first step. We call on partners and friends from the broad sections of civil society in the country and around the world to help in any way they can to accompany this process to its successful conclusion.With firm resolve and for the sake of just peace in the country, we urge both parties: RESUME THE PEACE TALKS NOW!