Ecumenical group urges gov’t, Reds to talk peace, cease fire
MANILA, Philippines—The government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) should resume talking peace and declare a cease-fire during the holidays, the largest ecumenical group of church leaders in the country said on Saturday.
In a statement, the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) said the peace talks between the government and communist rebels should resume in accordance with bilateral agreements and after the release of political prisoners.
“The formal talks between the two sides have not resumed since February. We call on both sides to find remedies to the obstacles they face in pursuing the peace negotiations. Both sides should ‘take heart and not erode the bridges built through the years,’” PEPP said.
“We also anticipate the traditional declaration by both GPH (Government of the Philippines) and the NDF of a cease-fire in observance of the Christmas season,” it added.
Among those who signed the statement were Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias S. Iñiguez Jr. and Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.
The group called for the government’s “immediate release” of political prisoners, including NDF consultants, adding that this would pave the way for the immediate resumption of the formal peace talks.
“This will be an act of justice and magnanimity and is fully in line with the spirit of Christmas,” the group said.
“With our faith, we resolve and pray to continue supporting the peace negotiations as part of our people’s quest for a just and enduring peace,” it added.
PEPP also called on both parties to uphold the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
The group said that resuming the peace talks was “urgent” due to the “exponentially rising poverty and the increasingly inequitable distribution of wealth in the country.”
“These problems, which both parties agree are at the root of the armed conflict, are due to be taken up in the second substantive agenda of the talks which are social and economic reforms,” PEPP said.
“The Filipino people will greatly benefit if the two parties arrive at agreements on fundamental reforms that will address these problems and thereby lead to an equitable and sustainable peace for all,” it added.
