Demands by communist rebels may derail peace talks – Galvez
Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. called on supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) not to make demands that may thwart the upcoming peace talks between the government and communist rebels to finally put an end to one of the longest insurgencies in the world.
“There should be no preconditions whatsoever, as these can derail future discussions. As we have learned from our past experiences, making such preconditions even before the start of the discussions puts a huge burden on both sides when there is still a need to agree on the parameters and framework of the talks,” Galvez said in a statement on Saturday.
The head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, was reacting to statements by different groups after the government announced it would resume peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the political arm of the CPP.
“I would like to urge other parties to respect the Joint Statement and Oslo Joint Communique and not make preconditions or release propaganda that will water down the peace-building efforts of the previous and current administrations,” Galvez said.
READ: No formal peace talks yet with NDFP, just ‘exploratory talks’ – Teodoro
READ: Romualdez hopes no obstacles will snag peace talks with communists
‘Provocative statements’
“We respect and appreciate your suggestions. But now is not the time to issue such premature and provocative statements that will compromise the initial ‘goodwill’ that has been painstakingly built in Oslo,” he added.
On Nov. 23, the national government and the NDFP signed a Joint Statement in Oslo, Norway, agreeing to a principled and peaceful resolution to the armed conflict of the government with the CPP, the New People’s Army (NPA), and the NDFP. The NPA is the armed wing of the CPP.
The two parties recognized the need for the nation to unite in the face of serious socioeconomic, environmental, and foreign security issues.
To allow the peace negotiations to move forward, the CPP demanded that President Marcos release all the NDFP peace consultants to allow them to take part in the discussions and negotiations.
It also directed the government to rescind the terrorist designation of the NDFP.
Aside from these, the CPP boldly suggested that Marcos dismantle the controversial National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and repeal the Anti-Terror Law.
