Rebels still open to peace talks, says Jalandoni

Luis Jalandoni. FILE PHOTO

LUCENA CITY — Luis Jalandoni, peace panel chairperson of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), on Wednesday declared that the communist rebel movement is still open to the resumption of peace negotiation with the Philippine government.

“The NDFP has continually asserted that it is committed to peace negotiations that address the roots of the armed conflict and pave the way to a just and lasting peace,” Jalandoni said in an emailed statement sent to the Inquirer in Lucena City.

Jalandoni assailed officials of the Aquino administration in “acting irresponsibly by issuing bellicose statements” about terminating the peace negotiations with the NDFP.

Jalandoni branded as “completely untrue” the reported statement of Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda that OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process) Secretary Teresita Deles has informed the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) about the government’s termination of the peace talks with the NDFP.

“Ambassador Ture Lundh, the Royal Norwegian facilitator, states that neither formally nor informally has the RNG been informed by the GPH (Government of the Philippines) of such termination,” Jalandoni said.

He said: “We are glad to know that RNG remains committed to help in the GPH-NDFP peace negotiations.”

Jalandoni also explained that the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig) of 1995 requires that written notice be given by one party to the other in order to terminate the Jasig and the peace negotiations.

“No written notice of termination of the Jasig and the peace negotiations has been given by the GPH to the NDFP,” he said.

Jalandoni said JASIG stipulates that “only 30 days after receipt of the written notice, is the termination in effect.”

He added that all immunity guarantees contained in Jasig would remain in full force even after such termination.

Jalandoni maintained NDFP is willing to move towards the resumption of formal peace talks, based on the previously signed binding agreements.

“The peace negotiations should address the roots of the armed conflict through fundamental economic, social and political reforms which will pave the way to a just and lasting peace,” he said.