Farmers’ groups seek resumption of gov’t-NDF talks

MANILA, Philippines - Militant peasant organizations urged yesterday the resumption of the peace talks between the government and the communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) and Anakpawis party-list group are concerned over the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL) that was signed by both parties in 1998 and the present agenda, including socio-economic reforms that tackles mainly land reform and nationalist industrialization.

“We are pushing for the resumption of the peace talks as it deliberately address the roots of the armed conflict.

“In our region, it is caused by the massive landlessness and poverty among farmers. Historically, the grave abuse against poor farmers are what pushes them to join the armed struggle,” said Joseph Canlas, AMGL chair and Anakpawis regional coordinator.

The two groups said that the Aquino government must adhere to the previous agreements such as The Hague Joint Declaration in 1992, the Joint Agreement on Security Immunities and Guarantees (Jasig), the CAHRIHL, and other agreements on the framework and conduct of the negotiations.

The previous agreements mainly clarified the framework and conduct, such as the political and legal framework, which is not constrained from each other’s constitution but is mainly guided by mutually accepted principles such as national sovereignty, democracy, human rights and social justice.

They said the talks should be held on neutral grounds and confidence-building measures performed.

“The Aquino government should realize that the accomplishments of the peace talks are bigger than his administration, the previous agreements were the result of the pain-staking, strenuous and patient effort between the two parties. Aquino should be humble enough to consider the history of the talks,” Canlas said.

He said many leaders and members of peasant groups were victims of human rights abuses during the implementation of the government’s counter-insurgency plan and the farmers want the agreement on human rights protection to be implemented.

Two NPA rebels killed

Two communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed last Thursday in a clash with soldiers in Catbalogan City in Samar days after the government announced that it has terminated its talks with the NDF.

Army reports said members of the 87th Infantry Battalion were conducting security operations when they encountered five rebels in Barangay Albalate in Catbalogan at 1:35 p.m.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, spokesman of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division said the encounter lasted for about 15 minutes and left two insurgents dead.

The rebels are believed to be involved in extortion activities in Samar, a known hotbed of the NPA. Security forces are still validating the identities of the slain insurgents.

Gutierrez said the soldiers recovered an M16 assault rifle, an M653 rifle, a fragmentation grenade and a backpack containing personal belongings from the encounter site.

Members of the police scene of the crime operatives were immediately airlifted to the area to examine the pieces of evidence and the fatalities.

“The presence of the peace and development teams in Barangay Albalate, Catbalogan City was very timely since it spoiled the plan of the NPA to extort money from local candidates,” said Maj. Gen. Gerardo Layug, chief of the Army’s 8th Division.

Earlier, government chief negotiator Alexander Padilla said the government is considering a “new approach” to peacefully resolve the conflict with the communists.

He said the communists have set too many preconditions to resume the talks, which has been stalled for 22 months. – Rhodina Villanueva, Alexis Romero