Archive for category: Statements

NDFP Media Office
Press release

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) denounced allegations that the revolutionary organization is split into three factions with regard to its attitude towards the peace negotiations with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP).

An article in today’s issue of the Manila Standard citing spurious sources alleged that a faction led by NDFP Senior Adviser Luis Jalandoni and Chief Political Consultant Jose Ma. Sison wants a negotiated settlement; that a second faction led by Benito and Wilma Tiamzon merely wants the release of all political prisoners; and a third faction led by NPA National Operational Command chief Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos wants to pursue the armed struggle.

“This rehash of the old military psywar line,” said NDFP peace panel chair Fidel Agcaoili, “is nothing but an attempt to sow intrigues against the revolutionary movement and derail the peace negotiations.”

“The NDFP will not be distracted by such baseless intrigues in its objective of engaging the GRP in peace negotiations to attain the maximum possible benefits for the Filipino people,” said Agcaoili.

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The first major item of the agenda taken up by the GRP and NDFP panels in the third round of formal talks in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations was the review of the implementation of CARHRIHL, the first major item in the substantive agenda in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. This agreement was approved and signed by the two panels in 1998.

The NDFP panel had previously insisted to place the review of the implementation of CARHRIHL as number one item on the agenda because the NDFP has been greatly disappointed by the failure of the GRP to fulfill many of its obligations under this agreement.

“The first big test of the seriousness of the GRP in these negotiations is compliance with CARHRIHL. For if the GRP cannot fulfill its obligations in an agreement already signed, what is our guarantee with regard to future agreements?” NDFP Panel Chairperson Fidel V. Agcaoili said.

The NDFP Negotiating Panel believes that the strict implementation of CARHRIHL is of prime importance for the peace process to move forward especially because it is the first major item in the substantive agenda in the peace negotiations. Mutual trust and confidence is essential if the peace negotiations are to succeed. Non-compliance is bound to erode mutual trust and confidence.

In his presentation, NDFP panel Chairperson Fidel V. Agcaoili, enumerated some of the most important violations by the GRP of CARHRIHL. He cited the retention of repressive Marcos decrees particularly those that are used against NDFP forces and against the basic masses.

Alleged NDFP personnel when arrested, are routinely slapped with non-bailable charges such as illegal possession of firearms and explosives to keep them perpetually detained. In most cases, the firearm is planted to serve as “evidence.”

Agcaoili also cited other decrees and repressive laws such as those restricting the right to peaceful assembly, authorizing the demolition of urban poor communities, and legalizing the CAFGU (Citizen’s Armed Forces Geographical Unit) whose members are often involved in carrying out atrocities in the countryside.

He also pointed to the violation by the GRP of the Hernandez political offense doctrine to which the GRP committed itself to uphold. Alleged NDFP forces are routinely charged with common crimes. For instance, a person alleged to be a New People’s Army (NPA) red fighter may be charged with multiple murder if he was suspected of being involved in an ambush resulting in the death of several GRP soldiers. Under the Hernandez doctrine the charge of multiple murder should be subsumed under the crime of rebellion.

The NDFP panel chairperson protested the continuing military operations against rural communities on the pretext of conducting so-called peace and development projects under OPLAN Bayanihan. They occupy schools, health and day care centers, barangay halls, public plazas, and even bus stops and private residences in more than 43 provinces and 146 municipalities all over the country. They impose food blockades and restrictions on the movement of residents, disrupting their economic activities.

Agcaoili formally raised with the GRP panel the case of three JASIG-protected NDFP consultants who remain in prison and prevented from participating in the ongoing peace negotiations. Eduardo Sarmiento, Emeterio Antalan and Leopoldo Caloza were arrested and convicted on trumped up criminal charges. To facilitate their release and enable them to participate in the ongoing GRP-NDFP peace negotiations, the GRP panel suggested that the consultants withdrew their appeals to pave the way for the granting of presidential pardon. As a result, their conviction became final. But until now they have not been pardoned and continue to languish in jail.

According to Agcaoili, “This constitutes not only a serious violation of CARHRIHL and JASIG but a betrayal of trust.”

During the session, Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN Secretary General and NDFP-designated Independent Observer to the Joint Monitoring Committee, formally presented to the GRP panel documented cases of human rights violations committed by GRP forces and violations of CARHRIHL by the GRP.

As the talks were going on, the NDFP panel received a report about the cold blooded murder of Alexander Ceballos, a peasant leader of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) by suspected members of RPA-ABB, a paramilitary unit under the payroll of the local government unit in the area. According to KARAPATAN this would be the first extra-judicial killing of a progressive peasant leader under OPLAN Kapayapaan the new counter-insurgency program that has replaced the notorious OPLAN Bayanihan. #

FIDEL V. AGCAOILI
Chairperson
NDFP Negotiating Panel

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Press release

Speaking in behalf of the RNG, Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Førner and Special Ambassador to the Philippines Peace Process Elisabeth Slattum, congratulated the Parties in the negotiations for their commitment and hard work in the previous two rounds and assured both sides of the RNG’s continuing support to the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations saying that “we are here for the long haul.”

In his opening statement, NDFP Chief Political Consultant Jose Maria Sison laid out the over-all perspective of the NDFP on the prospects and likely course of the peace talks.

He said, “I continue to declare that the two negotiating panels can negotiate in a non-adversarial way and overcome any obstacle by addressing the roots of the armed conflict and seeking to satisfy the demands of the people for basic social, economic and political reforms in order to lay the foundation of a just and lasting peace and build a Philippines that is truly independent, democratic, just, prosperous and progressive.”

He revealed his recent telephone conversation with President Duterte in which they “discussed in earnest how to make the negotiations successful.” He also expressed his appreciation for President Duterte’s public announcement of the latter’s wish to have a meeting with him after the third round of talks in a third country and take the necessary measures to ensure the further advance of the negotiations.

To address the strong wish of the GRP for a bilateral ceasefire, he said that the current reciprocal unilateral ceasefires can easily be turned into a more stable bilateral ceasefire if the GRP complies with its obligation under CARHRIHL through amnesty a method promised by Duterte to the current head of the NDFP panel Fidel Agcaoili in May 2016.

Addressing this point, Agcaoili emphasized in his opening speech, “We clearly state today that the release of the above-mentioned political prisoners should not be seen as a mere confidence building measure or a gift to the NDFP. It is a matter of justice and an obligation of the GRP under CARHRIHL. Neither should the political prisoners be treated as trump cards to extract concessions from the NDFP. Such conduct is bound to further erode mutual trust and confidence.”

Sison expressed confidence that agreement on SER can be finished in 6 months. “Both RWCs have already fleshed out the common outline of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) and can indeed make a significant headway in the current round in reconciling their respective draft and agree on how to accelerate the unification of the drafts by holding bilateral draft sessions by teams before the fourth round.”

He further stated, “With regard to political and constitutional reforms, the NDFP holds the view that there are good and viable examples of both unitary and federal forms of state.”

He explained, “The NDFP is willing to maintain its alliance with the GRP and the Duterte administration in particular by cooperating in the founding of the Federal Republic of the Philippines, creating a parliamentary system and making a new constitution that upholds, defends and promotes national independence, democracy, economic development, social justice, cultural progress, independent foreign policy and international solidarity with peoples and all countries for peace and development.”

For his part, Agcaoili reaffirmed the willingness of the NDFP panel to accelerate the process of forging mutually acceptable comprehensive agreements on SER and PCR “so that we can move on to the phase of implementation within the period of the Duterte government.”

Explaining why there has to be a period of successful implementation of the CASER and CAPCR for at least 2 years, he said, “We must prove to our people that these negotiations will indeed bring about genuine change. They are tired of broken promises from politicians and the failed policies of previous GRP regimes.”

By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Chief Political Consultant
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

His Excellency, Eric Forner, Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Government to the Philippines, Her Excellency, Ambassador Elisabeth Slattom, special envoy of the Royal Norwegian Government to the Philippine Peace Process, and His Excellency Foreign Secretary the Hon. Perfecto Yasay,

Dear Compatriots in the Negotiating Panels and Delegations of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, and

Distinguished guests and friends,

As Chief Political Consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, I reiterate to all of you the warmest greetings and best wishes of the NDFP for solidarity and peace in the new year and our deep gratitude to the Royal Government of Norway for consistently supporting the Philippines peace process and facilitating this third round of formal talks in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations and to the Government of Italy for cooperating and letting Rome be the venue of the current round.

As in the previous two rounds of formal talks in Oslo, I continue to declare that the two negotiating panels can negotiate in a nonadversarial way and overcome any obstacle by addressing the roots of the armed conflict and seeking to satisfy the demands of the people for basic social, economic and political reforms in order to lay the foundation of a just and lasting peace and build a Philippines that is truly independent, democratic, just, prosperous and progressive.

In my telephone conversation with President Duterte last month, we discussed in earnest how to make the GRP-NDFP negotiations successful. I am pleased that President Duterte has publicly expressed few days ago the wish to meet with me at a certain point after the third round of formal talks and to take necessary measures to ensure further advance of the peace negotiations.

It is important that at every round of formal talks, the GRP and NDFP review and require compliance with the already existing agreements. Each side has its own concerns regarding these. The NDFP is grateful for last year’s release of the NDFP consultants detained in violation of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). The NDFP continues to expect the release of the hundreds of political prisoners in compliance with the CARHRIHL and JASIG.

The concurrent or reciprocal unilateral declarations of ceasefire by the GRP and NDFP can be easily turned into a more stable bilateral ceasefire if the GRP complies with the CARHRIHL by releasing all political prisoners listed by the NDFP who have been unjustly and wrongly imprisoned on trumped up charges of common crimes. The most effective remedy for such release is through general amnesty as President Duterte himself told the NDFP emissary in May 2016.

In view of the apparent political rehabilitation of the fascist dictator Marcos with his burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the NDFP has been concerned about adverse consequences to the provisions in CARHRIHL for justice and indemnification of the victims of human rights and violations during the Marcos regime. It seeks an assurance from President Duterte and the GRP that said provisions will continue to be respected and complied with. At any rate, I am glad that in advance of the third round President Duterte assured the aforesaid victims that they would be indemnified promptly and properly.

The NDFP is seriously concerned with violations of the CARHRIHL and the unilateral ceasefire arising from Oplan Bayanihan and Oplan Kapayapaan and from the anti-drugs campaign Oplan Tokhang and Double Barrel. In this regard, we the NDFP expect the GRP to comply with CARHRIHL.The Joint Monitoring Committee received complaints for investigation and appropriate action.

Ahead of the third round of formal talks, the Filipino people are expecting the Reciprocal Working Committees on Social and Economic Reforms to make a significant advance. Both RWCs have already fleshed out the common outline of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) and can indeed make a significant headway in the current round in reconciling their respective draft and agree on how to accelerate the unification of the drafts by holding bilateral draft sessions by teams before the fourth round.

The prospect is in sight that within six months the CASER shall already be ready for signing by the panels and everyone will understand how genuine land reform, national industrialization and expansion of social services shall be realized. The GRP and NDFP should be truly interested in social, economic and political reforms. The Filipino people want to end the oppressive and exploitative ruling system dominated by foreign monopoly capitalists, domestic landlords and capitalist bureaucrats.

With regard to political and constitutional reforms, the NDFP holds the view that there are good and viable examples of both unitary and federal forms of state. A federal system of government is not necessarily good or better than a unitary form of state, especially when it carries over from an already rotten unitary form of state certain malignancies and does not have constitutional guarantees against the penchant of the oligarchy for puppetry, dictatorship, graft and corruption, dynasty-building and warlordism.

The NDFP is willing to maintain its alliance with the GRP and the Duterte administration in particular by cooperating in the founding of the Federal Republic of the Philippines, creating a parliamentary system and making a new constitution that upholds, defends and promotes national independence, democracy, economic development, social justice, cultural progress, independent foreign policy and international solidarity with peoples and all countries for peace and development.

The Reciprocal Working Groups on Political and Constitutional Reforms of both panels have already finished and exchanged their drafts of the Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms. They have advanced ahead of schedule. There is plenty of time to enrich and polish these drafts even while CASER is still being negotiated. It will not be surprising if after the signing of the CASER by the panels, it will take one or two rounds of talks or some three months after the forging of CASER to finish the CAPCR for signing by the panels.

The advantage of having the CASER and CAPCR signed and approved by the principals within the first two years of the Duterte government is that these agreements shall be implemented for at least two years before the end of said government. If implemented to the satisfaction of the Filipino people and the NDFP, these agreements shall lay the full basis of the Comprehensive Agreement on the End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces as early as 2020-21. The leaders, officers and troops of the warring parties can expect to benefit from a mutual general amnesty.

The Filipino people, the NDFP and its forces continue to hope that the peace negotiations will successfully pass through the following tests and phases: the amnesty and release of all political prisoners in compliance with CARHRIHL, the forging of CASER and CAPCR, the implementation of the three priorly cited agreements and the forging and finalization of the EHDF.

In various ways, President Duterte can prove in real and concrete terms that he is truly a patriotic and progressive president and fights against the imperialists and oligarchs for the benefit of the people. The GRP-NDFP peace process is one of the best ways to do so. And other ways follow easily, when the good agreements are implemented and the broad masses of the people are aroused, organized and mobilized to act for their own good along the national and democratic line. Thank you.#