Bayan welcomes resumption of peace talks in July

Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison (standing, fourth from
left) and other participants in the peace talks pose for a historic photo. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

DAVAO CITY—The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Friday welcomed the scheduled resumption of peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the incoming administration in July.

“Bayan congratulates the National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace panel and the incoming peace panel of the Duterte administration for the positive and significant steps that lay the groundwork for the resumption of formal peace talks in July,” Bayan chairperson Renato Reyes said in a statement.

“The recently signed Oslo Joint Statement raises hopes for the advance of peace negotiations after these were stalled by the Aquino regime,” he added.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s representatives and the negotiating panel of the NDFP agreed to resume formal peace talks in the third week of July.

READ: Duterte men, NDFP start peace negotiations in July

At the conclusion of the two-day exploratory talks in Oslo, the members of the government peace panel and the NDFP signed a statement agreeing to discuss the acceleration of negotiations and the grant of amnesty and release of all detained political prisoners, “subject to concurrence by Congress.”

Reyes said they were looking forward to the affirmation of the signed agreements and discussion of other agenda such as socio-economic reforms.

“The people have long desired peace based on justice. The people have long struggled for basic changes in the form of national industrialization, land reform, an independent foreign policy, respect for human rights and genuine representation in government. We recognize that the peace negotiations are a venue to advance this struggle,” he said.

READ: Gov’t panel, NDFP bat for release of political prisoners

Reyes also urged the public to support the resumption of peace negotiations, adding that Bayan will continue backing Duterte’s “pro-people” and “progressive” programs.

“On June 30, the day of the inauguration of President Rodrigo Duterte, thousands will march in Manila in support of the peace talks, the release of political prisoners and the People’s Agenda for Nationalist and Progressive Change. We shall continue to support the pro-people and progressive pronouncements and programs of the Duterte administration while challenging it to take the extra step in achieving genuine change for the people,” he said. CDG/rga