Ecumenical group hopeful over GPH-NDFP peace talks

THE PHILIPPINE Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP), the largest ecumenical formation of church leaders in the country, congratulates the negotiating panels of the Philippine government (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) for successfully concluding the first round of formal peace talks, with the help of the third party facilitator, the Royal Norwegian government.
We are elated that instead of hurdles, bridges were built by the panels in order to proceed with the discussion of the substantive agenda that would address the roots of the armed conflict raging for more than four decades. Of foremost importance is the reaffirmation of The Hague Joint Declaration as the framework for the talks and all bilateral agreements up to the Second Oslo Joint Statement of April 3, 2004. The Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) has been convened and can now promptly act on the numerous complaints of human rights violations in connection with the armed conflict filed with and received by the Joint Secretariat of the JMC.
The agreement of the panels for a general timeframe for the talks is also a positive step that buoys the optimism of peace advocates all over the country. We are looking forward to the two parties resuming in earnest the negotiations on social and economic reforms, the next item in the substantive agenda. The PEPP believes that these reforms would address the roots of the armed conflict.
Thus we urge the Reciprocal Working Committees (RWCs) on Social and Economic Reforms to work on this with the national interest and the people’s welfare foremost in their minds. If these reforms are in order, the other substantive agendas can commence as planned.
For the formal negotiations to come to its fruition, we call on the people to support the peace process and to be vigilant against groups or acts that will undermine it. We must remember that the success of the formal negotiations is meant not just for the two negotiating parties. More importantly, it is meant for the people of this land.
For our part, we will continue to pray and encourage our constituency to hope with audacity. We will strive to heighten public awareness of the peace process—starting with the joint statement that the GPH and NDFP released about the just concluded formal talks, along with the other pertinent documents—especially among the youth and other basic sectors who are the main stakeholders in the peace process.
Indeed, let us seek peace and pursue it!
—ARCHBISHOP ANTONIO J. LEDESMA, S.J., DD and
SHARON ROSE JOY RUIZ-DUREMDES, CPBC,
co-chairpersons; MOST REV. DEOGRACIAS S. IÑIGUEZ, JR., DD, head of secretariat,
Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP),
[email protected]