RP-NDF peace talks to resume in third quarter of the year

Stalled peace talks between the government and communist rebels are expected to resume by the third quarter of this year.

The rebels’ political umbrella organization, the National Democratic Front (NDF), has agreed to set aside its demand that its group be removed from a foreign list of terrorist organizations.

This breakthrough came following a three-day congressional peace exploratory mission with the NDF in the Netherlands from June 23 until June 25.

The mission was undertaken by the House of Representatives special committee on peace, reconciliation and unity headed by party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo.

"In accordance with The Hague Joint Declaration, the parties agree that the ‘terrorist’ listings shall not be used to negate the inherent character and purpose of the peace negotiations," read a communiqué released by the NDF.

The communiqué said the government and rebel peace panels are expected to discuss the declaration of a ceasefire, with the NDF expressing its willingness to tackle the matter.

"Proposals of the subject (of ceasefire) shall be discussed by the special representatives of the principals of the GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) and the NDFP after the resumption of the formal talks in the peace negotiations," read the communiqué.

The House delegation is comprised of Ocampo as its chairman, and Rep. Arthur Defensor and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenzo Tañada III as its members.

The congressional mission was aimed at finding ways to contribute to efforts to help revive the peace talks in line with the mandate of the House of Representatives as defined by Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.

Formed during the 13th Congress, the group has jurisdiction within the House of Representatives over all matters directly and principally relating to negotiations and other policy and program initiatives in pursuit of the peace process.

Ocampo’s group, which flew to Utrecht, the Netherlands on Thursday of last week, was welcomed and met by NDF negotiating panel members Julie de Lima, Fidel Agcaoili and Coni Ledesma.

The NDF negotiating panel is chaired by Luis Jalandoni.

The House delegation called on both the government and the NDF panels to speed up the process towards attaining a negotiated political settlement of the 36-year-old rebellion.

Jalandoni proposed that a document to this effect be prepared with the compliance of the government and in conformity with existing agreements in the peace talks to resolve the prejudicial issues raised by the NDF.

"The NDF declares it is ready to resume the formal talks with the GRP counterpart within the third quarter of 2005 in Oslo, Norway upon agreement to resolve the prejudicial questions," the government and NDF panels said in a joint communiqué.

Both also agreed that the talks be preceded by preliminary talks between the two peace panels.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines welcomed the latest development, claiming that a peaceful resolution to the 36-year-old insurgency would be beneficial not only to the soldiers but to everybody.

Navy Commander Earl Pabalan, speaking on behalf of Lt. Col. Buenaventura Pascual, AFP public information chief, said the peace talks would pave the way for a lasting peace and sustainable economic development, especially in the countryside.

"The soldiers will benefit most from this development because after years of conflict, they have toiled too much," he said.

"What the country needs now is peace."