21 solons sign resolution calling for resumption of peace talks

Twenty-one members of the House of Representatives signed a resolution calling for the immediate resumption of the peace talks between the Duterte administration and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

The 21 lawmakers co-authored House Resolution 2065 filed on Thursday, which marked the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement of the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

The House Makabayan opposition bloc led the filing of HR 2065, saying that lawmakers “are duty bound to express the sentiments and interests of their constituents for the immediate resumption of the stalled peace talks and for the determined effort to find peaceful and just resolution to the armed conflict between GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) and NDFP.”

The resolution noted that the Stand-Down Agreement, signed on June 8, binds the military, the police, and the New People’s Army from hostilities as “goodwill and confidence-building measures” for the fifth round of talks, supposed to be held from June 28-30.

The resolution further stated that “The Stand-Down shall be declared and announced simultaneously by both Parties one week before the agreed date of resumption of the formal talks.”

It that the “Stand-Down shall be understood to mean the temporary cessation of hostilities in which the contending armed units and personnel of the Parties stay where they are (“as is where is”), take an active defense mode, and shall not commit any offensive action or operation against combatants and civilians.”

The lawmakers also noted that the stalled fifth round of talks also sought to forge an Interim Peace Agreement which contains key provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER), general amnesty of political prisoners, and coordinated unilateral ceasefire and would have been a great stride for the negotiations.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza earlier announced the postponement anew of the peace negotiations, saying there was a need “listen” to the public before finalizing the deal.   /vvp

READ: Dureza: Peace talks with Reds on June 28 canceled