With ‘guarded optimism’, party-list solon welcomes resumption of peace talks

A lawmaker has expressed his “guarded optimism” on President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to revive the foiled peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

On Thursday, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate however also expressed hope the negotiations would forge binding agreements to finally address the roots of the armed conflict.

“This is a very crucial opportunity and we hope both parties, as well as the third party facilitator, the Royal Norwegian Government, the peace consultants, cooperators and staff, can immediately buckle down to work and resume this tedious but necessary process,” Zarate said in a statement.

“Again, we reiterate our call of no pre-conditions, yet, for both parties to respect past binding commitments and agreements,” he added.

The party-list congressman likewise called on the Filipino people to be vigilant against “peace spoilers and saboteurs.”

“We however urge Pres. Duterte to rein in his pro-US, militarist cabinet secretaries and officials who are openly blocking any progress in the peace negotiations. He should rein in as well as the AFP and the PNP and stop their vitriolic attacks on peoples and communities fighting for their rights,” the party-list congressman said.

“The Filipino people should also be very vigilant to guard against peace spoilers and saboteurs who malign and attack the peace negotiations while pushing for an all out war. This kind of thinking is very dangerous and anathema to our quest for a just and lasting peace in our country,” he added.

According to Zarate, all sectors of society must follow closely the developments in the peace negotiations and actively show and voice their support, especially on the social, cultural, and political agreements that are being forged to end the five decades old armed conflict.

During the 24th Cabinet meeting of the Duterte government last Wednesday, the President asked Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to work on the resumption of peace talks between the government and the communist group.

READ: Duterte orders resumption of peace talks with Reds

Mr. Duterte terminated the peace negotiations late last year and consequently declared of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and New People’s Army (NPA) as terrorist organizations.

At least 61 multi-partisan members of the House of Representatives earlier called for the revival of the peace talks through a resolution that urged the President to resume the negotiations.

NDFP Chief Political Consultant Joma Sison welcomed Duterte’s pronouncement on the resumption of peace talks.

READ: NDFP ready to resume peace talks with gov’t — Sison

In a statement from The Netherlands, Sison said they are open and ready to return to the peace negotiating table with the Duterte administration.         /kga

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