Bello-led panel backs gov’t ceasefire even as NPA scraps own

Chief peace negotiators Fidel Agcaoili of the NDFP and Silvestre Bello III of the Philippine government shake hands after signing the supplemental guidelines for the conduct of peace talks. Looking on is Elisabeth Slattum, Norwegian special envoy. (Photo by KARLO MANLUPIG/Inquirer Mindandao)

DAVAO CITY — The government peace panel has recommended to President Duterte to go on with the government’s unilateral ceasefire amid the Communist Party of the Philippines’ termination of its own ceasefire, government chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III said Wednesday.

In a statement, Bello said it was sad that the CPP decided to terminate the unilateral ceasefire it declared in August as it, along with the unilateral ceasefire the government declared much earlier, helped in the advance of the peace process.

“The government panel negotiating peace with the National Democratic Front firmly believes that the unilateral ceasefire declared by both parties….was instrumental in moving the peace process forward,” he said.

Bello said the truce also “provided our people the opportunity to participate in the bigger peace table, enabling them to voice out their positions in the ongoing negotiations.”

Bello said the ceasefire also brought down the number of incidents that could spoil the talks.

But even with the termination, he said the Philippine government was hoping the NDF would still attend the succeeding meetings, including the one scheduled in Oslo.  SFM