Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III –ANTHONY Q. ESGUERRA/INQUIRER.net
DAVAO CITY—The Philippine government has finished drafting its version of a proposed pact on social and economic reforms to be presented to communist rebels in the next round of peace tallks, scheduled in Rome next month, chief peace negotiator Silvestre Bello III has said.
Details of the 33-page Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (Caser) however were not made available to the press, because it was still to be presented and discussed with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
The NDFP is the political wing of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which has been waging more than four decades of rebellion that has left thousands dead and stunted economic growth.
Points of assertion
“Caser (government draft) is ready. We are ready to rumble,” Bello, who is also labor secretary, told the Inquirer during the 48th anniversary of the CPP.
The NDFP said that the major points of assertion from their side included agrarian reform, national industrialization, labor rights and environmental protection.
The NDFP said it was also keen on tackling the issue of foreign ownership of businesses in the country, especially under the context of expanding industries—including mining and plantations.
NDFP senior adviser Luis Jalandoni said the revolutionary movement was also particular in responding to the concerns of the Moro people and indigenous peoples, specifically about their right to self determination.
While both parties agreed during the exploratory talks in Oslo last June to accelerate the peace process, the NDFP said it wanted to ensure that the quality of the agreement would not be compromised.
NDFP peace panel member Coni Ledesma said the Caser would be the “meat of the process” and it should address the roots of the armed conflict in the country.