Aquino Risks Leaving Legacy of Killing Peace Talks – NDFP

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By LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
The Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) and peace advocates declare support for the willingness of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) to hold informal peace talks with the Aquino government (GPH). But GPH President Aquino runs the risk of destroying chances for a negotiated peace with the NDFP by certain actions of his in violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
President Aquino’s appointment of former Philippine National Police General Lina Sarmiento as Chairperson of the Victims’ Claimants Board and the exclusion of genuine representatives of the almost 10,000 victims of human rights violations under the Marcos dictatorship, constitute an act to sabotage the GPH-NDFP peace talks. The CARHRIHL of 1998 solemnly recognizes the rights of the thousands of victims to be compensated through their rightful representatives. The exclusion of SELDA and other genuine representatives of the victims in the Claims Board is condemnable.
The Aquino government, through Secretary Teresita Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and GPH Negotiating Panel Chair Alexander Padilla, has attacked the framework and foundation agreement of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations, The Hague Joint Declaration, as “a document of perpetual division”. It has grossly violated the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) by arresting and detaining NDFP Consultants and JASIG-protected NDFP personnel.
Furthermore, Aquino has attacked the Amado Hernandez political offense doctrine, stipulated in the CARHRIHL, by arresting hundreds of political prisoners and charging them with common crimes in violation of said doctrine and the CARHRIHL.
The Aquino regime renders impossible the negotiations on social and economic reforms by declaring through Deles and Padilla that land reform and national industrialization are “ideologically charged concepts”, and therefore cannot be part of the agenda of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations.
With only a little over two years left of his presidential term, GPH President Aquino runs the risk of leaving a legacy as the one who killed the peace talks with the NDFP.

NDFP Demands Release of Consultant George Geluz and other NDFP Consultants

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By LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel strongly condemns the illegal arrest and detention of NDFP Consultant George Geluz. He is the holder of NDFP Document of Identification ND 978309 under the assumed name: Siloy Dimagiba. As an NDFP Consultant in the peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the NDFP, he is covered by the protection of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) of 24 February 1995.
The JASIG was subsequently approved by the Principals of the GRP and the NDFP. It is an effective and binding reciprocal peace agreement.
The illegal arrest of NDFP Consultant George Geluz on 8 February 2014 and his detention at the Camarines Norte Provincial Jail in Daet is a serious violation of the JASIG.
Despite having a permanent committee tasked to oversee the implementation of the JASIG and resolve problems and issues arising from it, as provided for in Executive Order 276 dated 19 September 1995 issued by GRP President Fidel V. Ramos, the BS Aquino regime, through its Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), refuses to abide by the JASIG and has exposed itself as without word of honor in complying with solemn agreements entered into in the course of peace negotiations.
The NDFP demands that NDFP Consultant George Geluz be immediately and unconditionally released. The same demand goes for all the other NDFP consultants and JASIG-protected NDFP personnel arrested and detained in violation of the JASIG.

On the Status of Peace Talks Between the GRP and NDFP

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Sunday, 05 January 2014

Interview with LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel

By Ms. Celerina del Mundo-Monte
Associate Editor, The Daily Manila Shimbun

LUIS G. JALANDONI (LGJ): Before I answer your questions, I wish to give the following preface.

It is the standing policy of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) to be willing to engage in peace negotiations with any administration of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) that is willing to hold peace negotiations for a just and lasting peace, which address the roots of the armed conflict. The negotiations should work for fundamental social, economic and political reforms for the benefit of the people.

Since 1992 more than ten significant peace agreements have been signed and approved by the Principals of both Parties. Among these are The Hague Joint Declaration of 1992, the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG, 1995) and The Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL, 1998).

Two Agreements were signed in 2004, The Oslo Joint Statement (February 2004) and The Second Oslo Joint Statement (April 2004)

Now we come to your questions:

1. Kindly describe the current situation of the peace talks between the GPH (government of the Republic of the Philippines) and the CPP-NPA-NDFP (Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, National Democratic Front of the Philippines).

LGJ: Since last April the talks have been at a standstill. The Aquino government declared through media that it is terminating the peace negotiations with the NDFP This followed talks in Amsterdam last February, wherein the Aquino representatives rebuffed the NDFP offer of truce and cooperation and instead wished to impose pacification through a demand for indefinite, unilateral and simultaneous ceasefires. The NDFP offer for truce and cooperation was to be realized through a declaration of common intent to uphold national independence and carry out land reform and national industrialization. The truce and cooperation would help accelerate talks on social, economic, and political reforms as stipulated in the substantive agenda stated in The Hague Joint Declaration.

The NDFP 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 Aquino government furthermore 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 psywar, intelligence and combat operations.

2. What are the prospects this year of the peace process between the Philippine government and the CPP-NPA-NDFP?

LGJ: Because of the Aquino government’s refusal to comply with the JASIG and CARHRIHL, its attack against The Hague Joint Declaration and declaration of JASIG as “inoperative” and its rebuff of the NDFP offer of truce and cooperation, the prospects this year of the peace negotiations between the Aquino administration and the NDFP are dim. The Aquino government is responsible for stopping the peace process.

3. What should the Philippine government do in order to resume the peace process with the CPP-NPA-NDFP?

LGJ: It should respect the agreements signed. Former GRP Chief Negotiator. Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, 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”. It should heed the call of many peace advocate organizations not to follow the US Counterinsurgency Guide and not to rely on the triad concept of psywar, intelligence and combat operations. It should cease daydreaming about destroying the NPA or rendering it inconsequential. It should aim for a just and lasting peace by addressing the roots of the armed conflict.

4. What should the CPP-NPA-NDFP do in order for the peace process to move forward?

LGJ: 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.

5. Are you still hopeful with the peace process under the Aquino administration? Why or why not?

LGJ: Because BS Aquino has not shown any political will to seriously negotiate a just peace with the NDFP, we are not hopeful about peace negotiations under the Aquino administration. He has not shown respect for The Hague Joint Declaration, the JASIG, and the CARHRIHL He has not shown any respect for the Hacienda Luisita workers and farmers and following his landlord class position, he is against land reform. He follows the US Counterinsurgency Guide and its militarist aim of defeating or rendering the NPA inconsequential.

6. What is the current strength of the CPP-NPA-NDFP?

LGJ: With broad and deep support of the people, the revolutionary forces are active in 71 out of 81 provinces of the country. They are operating in more than 110 guerrilla fronts, with a typical guerrilla front having the strength of a company with three platoons. These areas are run by organs of political power, alternative people’s governments, supported by mass organizations of workers, peasants, women, youth, cultural groups and children. The NPA fighters are assisted by the people’s militia and self-defense units of the people’s organizations. The CPP leads the NPA and the organs of political power. The NDFP is the united front organization of the revolutionary forces.

NDFP Condemns Aquino Regime for Sentencing NDFP Consultant Eduardo Sarmiento

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By LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, Negotiating Panel
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
14 December 2013
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines vigorously condemns the Aquino regime’s system of injustice for sentencing NDFP Consultant Eduardo Sarmiento. His arrest, detention and sentencing are flagrant violations of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), signed and approved by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the NDFP in 1995. The JASIG guarantees all participants in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations immunity from surveillance, harassment, search, arrest, detention, prosecution and interrogation, or any other punitive actions.
The gross violation of the rights of NDFP Consultant Eduardo Sarmiento exposes again the Aquino regime’s lack of respect for the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). This agreement signed and approved by the GRP and the NDFP in 1998 stipulates that political prisoners charged, detained or convicted in violation of the Hernandez political offense doctrine of 1956 ought to be released. This provision against the criminalization of political offenses is violated by the Aquino regime in the case of Eduardo Sarmiento and more than 400 political prisoners. (CARHRIHL, Part III, Respect for Human Rights, Art. 6)
The Aquino regime likewise shows no respect for the following article in CARHRIHL which lists repressive decrees such as the Marcos decree, P.D. 1866 as amended, which ought to be repealed. This repressive decree of the Marcos dictatorship is used by the Aquino regime and its Regional Trial Court to convict and sentence NDFP Consultant Eduardo Sarmiento to 40 years imprisonment.
The NDFP calls on human rights and peace advocate organizations in the Philippines and abroad to launch an effective campaign for the release of NDFP Consultant Eduardo Sarmiento, other NDFP detained consultants, and political prisoners.

NDFP Calls for International Support for Victims of Typhoon Haiyan / Yolanda

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By LUIS G. JALANDONI
NDFP Chief International Representative

11 November 2013

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) calls on its international friends and the international community to send urgent help to the millions of victims in the Philippines who have been affected by the devastating typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. We express our heartfelt thanks to those who have already expressed their deep sympathy and solidarity. We call on many more to extend their solidarity and concrete support at this time of urgent need.

Thousands have lost their lives, millions have lost their homes and the people urgently need drinking water, food and shelter. Our deepest sympathies go to the families, relatives and communities ravaged by the supertyphoon.

Revolutionary forces and people’s organizations are exerting heroic efforts to provide all that they can muster. They are organizing and sending teams to the most affected areas as soon as possible.

Please send to the people’s organizations you may already have direct and effective links.

Those who do not yet have such direct links can send to the following bank account of the NDFP International Information Office in The Netherlands:

NDF ST. INT. INFORMATIE
Account number 39 45 70 642
RABOBANK

Bank branch: Utrecht, The Netherlands
IBAN NL 70 RABO 0394 5706 42
BIC RABONL 2U

Please put “Haiyan/Yoland Relief Funds”

We shall forward your assistance right away to the people in the affected areas.

Thank you very much!

NDFP Renders Highest Tribute to Father Joe Dizon

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6 November 2013

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines condoles with the family of Fr. Jose P. Dizon, his other relatives, comrades and colleagues and numerous friends. His passing away two days ago deeply saddens us even as we draw strength and inspiration from his shining example of constant and fruitful service to the workers and all the oppressed struggling for freedom and justice.

 

Forty years as a priest of the people, always standing on the side of the oppressed in their fight against their oppressors and exploiters, Fr. Joe D never wavered in his commitment. It only grew stronger through the years. He became ever more creative and resourceful in building and fostering the various organizations and alliances for advancing the people’s struggle for national and social liberation.

 

Already in the 1970’s, he headed the vibrant church movement. Basic Christian Communities – Community Organization, which spread throughout the country, developing communities which challenged the Marcos dictatorship. He became a leader in the Justice for Aquino, Justice for All (JAJA) and in the Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Freedom and Democracy.

 

A major achievement of his was the founding of the Workers’ Assistance Center (WAC) in 1995 which organized workers in the Cavite Economic Zone into unions and labor associations, despite the repressive actions of the reactionary government and the managements of corporations. Tens of thousands of workers benefited from the WAC programs. Complementing its main aim of organizing, were the Legal and Paralegal Assistance Program (LPAP), Labor and Gender Education Program (LGEP), Research, Documentation, Information and Publication (RDIP) and the International Relations Program (IRP).

 

Fr. Joe D organized the Clergy Discernment Program aimed at involving priests and nuns in the social agenda of the Church. In 1998 he was the convenor of Solidarity Philippines and the Kairos religious movement.

 

In 2001 when Oriental Mindoro was subjected to intense militarization under the fascist military of Jovito Palparan, ten battalions were deployed to the province and more than 30 activists had been murdered. Fr. Joe D acted creatively to help save 60 families targeted by the military. He offered the huge statue of Inay Maria for a series of processions which the military did not dare attack. During the processions the 60 families were brought to safety.

 

In November 2005, a year after the Hacienda Luisita massacre, Fr. Joe D led other priests in confronting the Presidential Security Group under General Delfin Bangit. The soldiers barred them from entering the parish church at the National Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel near Malacanang. Fr. Joe D demanded that the parish priest, Msgr. Ernesto Cruz, and his group enter the church and concelebrate the mass. Fr. Joe D prevailed over the objections of the soldiers.

 

Fr. Joe D was a prominent figure in numerous mass actions and became known as the official chaplain of the Parliament of the Streets. Among his latest involvements have been as convenor and spokesperson of the poll watchdog, Kontra Daya and spokesperson of the People’s Movement for Change, PAGBABAGO.

 

On September 13, 2013, despite his failing health, he led the demonstration of the Abolish Pork Movement, warning President Aquino that the people could start a civil disobedience campaign. He declared, “The issue strikes at the heart of the corrupt system itself!”

 

On his 40th anniversary as a priest, on October 15, 2013, he concelebrated mass with Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and Imus Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista. Shortly after, he collapsed and was brought to the hospital. A week later, he reiterated in an interview that all those years as a priest he was committed to the Church of the Poor. Indeed, he was always with the workers and other oppressed. He joined their just struggles against oppression and exploitation.

 

Through his unwavering, courageous, resourceful and fruitful service to the people over so many years, Fr. Joe D has left an inspiring legacy of service to the people. His noble memory, warmheartedness and revolutionary spirit will inspire the people in the unceasing struggle for social justice and freedom, for national and social liberation.#

 

 

by Luis G. Jalandoni

Member, NDFP National Executive Committee

NDFP Negotiating Panel Message of Solidarity to the Gathering and Caravan for Peace on 2 September 2013

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by LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
01 September 2013
The Negotiating Panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) conveys its warm greetings of solidarity to the organizers and participants of the Gathering and Caravan for Peace from Quezon City Memorial to Plaza Miranda on 2 September 2013.
We firmly support the initiatives of your newly-born Citizens Alliance for Just Peace (CALL for JUST PEACE) and other peace advocates throughout the country to strive effectively for a just and lasting peace.
A just and lasting peace, as you have declared, requires addressing the root causes of the 44-year-old armed conflict.  It means genuine land reform to respond to the basic aspirations of the peasantry which comprises the vast majority of our population.  It means national industrialization to lift our backward agrarian economy to a developed progressive economy that can provide the needs of the entire population.  It calls for respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.  It necessarily means asserting our national sovereignty and independence.  Today, this means firm opposition to escalating US military intervention, extended US military access, US troops, warships and drones.
The ever worsening economic crisis, caused by the regime’s anti-people and anti-national policies, afflicts all sectors of the Filipino people.  This economic crisis, coupled with the political crisis aggravated by the massive pork barrel scandal, underlines the need for negotiating and forging agreements on social, economic and political reforms.  The gross and widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law resulting from the regime’s Oplan Bayanihan underscore the urgency of respecting and complying with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
The NDFP is open to continuing the peace negotiations with the Aquino government, despite the latter’s declarations to the media that it is terminating the peace talks with the NDFP.  The GPH ignores the requirement in the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) that termination requires written notice by one Party to the other.
The NDFP stands for peace negotiations on the basis of The Hague Joint Declaration, the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), the CARHRIHL and other binding peace agreements.
It is most fitting that the 21st anniversary of The Hague Joint Declaration, signed on
1 September 1992, is celebrated.  The HJD is the framework agreement which allowed both Parties to forge more than a dozen agreements.  It enshrines the principle of non-capitulation and the principles of reciprocity and parity.  It sets the substantive agenda of respect for HR and IHL, socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms and end of hostilities and disposition of forces.  The direction and final aim is clear.
The NDFP demands the release of the 430 political prisoners, including the more than a dozen NDFP Consultants and JASIG-protected NDFP personnel illegally arrested and detained by the Manila government in gross violation of the JASIG.
Ka Fidel Agcaoili, Vice-Chairperson and Spokesperson of the NDFP Negotiating Panel and Chairperson of the NDFP Monitoring Committee under the CARHRIHL, has been in the Philippines since early July 2013.  A major objective of his is to ascertain the real intent of GPH President Aquino with regards the peace negotiations with the NDFP.
In the following days, Agcaoili will visit NDFP Consultants in Camp Crame and Bicutan detention centers.
We know that your campaign for a just and lasting peace includes the call for the release of political prisoners and JASIG-protected personnel of the NDFP.  We suggest that you visit them, not only those in Metro Manila, but also those in Mindanao, Visayas and provinces in Luzon.  In the Cordillera, you can visit Grayson Naogsan, the son of Cordillera People’s Democratic Front (CPDF) spokesperson, Simon “Ka Filiw” Naogsan, in Ifugao, and Kennedy Bangibang, peace consultant for Cordillera and national minority affairs, in Baguio City.
We wish you the utmost success in your creative initiative for a just peace during this Gathering and Caravan for Peace on 2 September 2013.  We assure you and other peace advocates our solidarity and cooperation in our common striving for a just and lasting peace in our country.
ONWARD FOR A JUST AND LASTING PEACE FOR THE FILIPINO PEOPLE!

NDFP Demands Release of Peace Panel Consultant Magpatoc

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By LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
22 August 2013
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel strongly condemns the illegal arrest and detention of NDFP Consultant Ma. Loida Tuzo Magpatoc by the Aquino regime. She is a holder of NDFP Document of Identification No. ND978254 using the assumed name Puri Feleo.
Her arrest on 28 July 2013 and continuing detention at the regime’s Camp Bagong Diwa (female dorm) is a gross violation of the GRP-NDFP Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.
As the attached Letter of Acknowledgment signed by then GRP Negotiating Panel Chairman, Silvestre H. Bello III, stipulates, she is an NDFP Consultant for Mindanao (VII) and “is entitled to the safety and immunity guarantees as provided under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) for the duration of the peace negotiations.”
“You are hereby required to facilitate the safe conduct and free passage of the above named person.
Thank you for your courtesy and assistance.”
The NDFP Negotiating Panel demands that the Aquino government respect and comply with the JASIG and release Ma. Loida Tuzo Magpatoc and 12 other JASIG-protected NDFP personnel.
We likewise demand the release of all the 430 political prisoners in compliance with the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). A government that does not respect agreements and contracts it has entered into does not deserve trust and respect.
Herein listed are the other 12 JASIG-protected NDFP personnel who remain in detention:
Alan Jazmines           Leopoldo Caloza    Emeterio Antalan   Eduardo Serrano
Tirso Alcantara         Ramon Patriarca    Edgardo Friginal     Jaime Soledad
Eduardo Sarmiento   Alfredo Mapano      Pedro Codaste       Renante Gamara
On behalf of the NDFP Negotiating Panel:
LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, Negotiating Panel
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

Facts Belie Claims of GPH Officials on Termination of Peace Talks

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By LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
03 May 2013

A presentation of the facts which transpired at the 25-26 February 2013 meeting in Amsterdam between representatives of the government of the Philippines (GPH) and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) belies the claims of GPH officials that the GPH terminated the formal peace talks and that the NDFP “killed” the special track. OPAPP Secretary Teresita Deles, GPH Negotiating Panel Chairperson Alexander Padilla and GPH Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda have made such claims.

On the morning of 26 February, there was a discussion of the inputs by the GPH representatives coming from their 20 February 2013 draft. This draft insisted on indefinite, simultaneous and unilateral ceasefires. It also declared that land reform and national industrialization were “ideologically charged” concepts. After that discussion, the GPH representatives abruptly left the meeting room.

Immediately, Royal Norwegian facilitator Ambassador Ture Lundh called for a sidebar meeting between him, Secretary Ronald Llamas and Professor Jose Maria Sison. Ambassador Ture Lundh asked both delegations to reconvene. Prof. Sison said the NDFP side would probably agree to reconvene if they would be able to present the NDFP Draft Agreement to Formulate the General Declaration.

However, Secretary Ronald Llamas said he wanted to consult his principal. When Ambassador Lundh said he also wanted to consult his principal, Prof. Sison had to agree. He then gave copies to Llamas and Ture Lundh of the above-mentioned NDFP draft and the NDFP Initial and Partial Draft General Declaration on National Unity and Just Peace, both dated 26 February 2013.

There was absolutely no talk about termination of the peace talks. Nor was there talk of the special track being killed.

GPH Presidential Spokesperson Lacierda’s insistence that the NDFP has been informed of the termination of the peace talks is contradicted by the facts. He exposes his ignorance of the provision of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) which stipulates that a written notice of termination must be given. No such notice of termination has been given to the NDFP, which is the proper addressee of such notice of termination.

(Sgd) LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel

NDFP Exposes Aquino Regime’s False Claims on Termination of Peace Talks

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By LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
01 May 2013

In view of the continuing statements of the Aquino regime, in particular GPH Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and OPAPP Secretary Teresita Deles, about terminating the peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, I reiterate the NDFP position that the GPH has not given any written notice of termination of the peace talks to the NDFP, which is the proper addressee of such notice. This is stipulated in the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) of 1995.
Neither has the Royal Norwegian Government, the official Third Party Facilitator of the GPH-NDFP peace negotiations been informed by the GPH of any termination of peace negotiations with the NDFP. In an email letter to me in the afternoon of 30 April 2013, Ambassador Ture Lundh of the Royal Norwegian Foreign Ministry stated: “Let me be absolutely clear in stating that the GPH has neither officially nor unofficially informed me of any termination of peace negotiations with the NDFP.”
The NDFP is open to continuing peace talks with the GPH on the basis of signed bilateral agreement. This and other aspects of the NDFP position on the matter of peace negotiations with the GPH are contained in the NDFP Statement dated 1 May 2013.
(Sgd) LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, Negotiating Panel
National Democratic Front of the Philippines