RP gov't to raise NPA atrocities in Norway talks

MANILA, Philippines – Government negotiators will seek an end to the reported atrocities of communist rebels, particularly the killing of civilians and attacks against mining and telecommunications firms in the country, when informal talks with leaders of the National Democratic Front (NDF) resume next week in Oslo, Norway, Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Norwegian facilitators led by Ambassador Vegar Brynildsen and Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Stale Torstein Risa have been arranging the continuation of the informal talks.

If the talks push through, it would be the third since peace negotiations broke down in August 2004.

NDF negotiators walked out of the talks four years ago, claiming the Philippine government was not lifting a finger to remove the terrorist tag on the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) imposed by the US and the European Union.

Communist rebels in Davao are currently holding hostage a wounded Army officer.

The government panel, led by its chairwoman Nieves Confesor, is scheduled to leave on Nov. 27.

Esperon said the issues to be raised could turn off NDF leaders, led by exiled communist leader Jose Ma. Sison, but they are serious and could not be ignored.

He told a news briefing at the Palace that the informal talks “will respond to mutual expectations… and will not extract commitments from parties but will open new opportunities for new ways of talking.”

Esperon said the government will push for the implementation of a ceasefire once formal talks begin.