Achieving national unity through peace settlement

Given the growing tension over the West Philippine Sea dispute, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines should sincerely pursue peace negotiations with the communist led-National Democratic Front (NDF) to unite the country and advance the national interest.

Although the Permanent Court of Arbitration has ruled in favor of the Philippine claim to the disputed waters, China insists on its position not to comply with the court’s findings, saying its sovereignty over the South China Sea is indisputable under its so-called nine-dash line claim.

During these trying times, national unity through a peace settlement between the Philippine government and the revolutionary movement is crucial. No amount of diplomatic talks can resolve this long-running sea row unless we, as a nation, will unite and collectively uphold our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It’s first things first: We must first resolve the long-running civil war in our country by addressing its root cause, which is injustice and poverty. Then we can proceed to and focus on finding a diplomatic and peaceful resolution of the external threat we are facing.

Among the substantive agenda of the peace talks is the NDF’s Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reform in which a number of issues relative to international relations are to be discussed—like adopting active, independent and peaceful foreign policies that are deemed helpful for a peaceful conclusion of the sea row.

We likewise warn the current administration to be extra vigilant against peace saboteurs and hardline militarists who could be a hindrance toward the resumption of peace talks. These hardliners always want to sabotage the peace talks and prefer fascism and total war rather than an end to the decades-old armed conflict in our country.

—SALVADOR FRANCE, vice chair, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas, and convenor, Pilipinong Nagkakaisa Para sa Soberanya