Marcos urges Filipinos to back peace process with NDFP

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called on Filipinos to support the peace process with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines after the government and the NDFP signed a joint communique indicating an agreement to return to the negotiations.

In a statement, Marcos said the Philippine government had taken a “bold, meaningful, and optimistic” toward the country's aspirations for peace.

“As reflected in the Joint Statement between our government and the NDF in recognizing the ‘serious socioeconomic, environmental, and foreign security threats’ facing our nation today, both parties have agreed to a principled and peaceful resolution of the armed conflict so that we may finally face these challenges as a unified nation,” Marcos said.

“I call upon the wholehearted support of all Filipinos as your government extends, in good faith, our nation’s goodwill to those ready to welcome and embrace our collective vision of peace, national reconciliation, and unity,” he added.

In separate news conferences, the two sides announced the joint communique that was signed in Oslo on November 23 and which adverted to the need to "unite as a nation" amid socioeconomic and environmental issues, and "foreign security threats." 

“We have always advocated and striven for a peaceful, prosperous, and unified country,” Marcos said.

“Today, I firmly believe that we have taken a bold, meaningful, and optimistic step toward the fulfillment of this aspiration for all Filipinos,” he added.

The GPH and the NDF earlier announced they had agreed to resume the stalled peace negotiations after their representatives signed a joint statement for "a principled and peaceful resolution to the armed conflict."

"Cognizant of the serious socioeconomic and environmental issues, and the foreign security threats facing the country, the parties recognize the need to unite the nation in order to urgently address these challenges and resolve the reasons for the armed conflict," the joint statement said.

"The parties agree to a principled and peaceful resolution of the armed conflict. Resolving the roots of the armed conflict and ending the armed struggle shall pave the way for the transformation of the CPP-NPA-NDFP," it added.

The statement was signed for the Philippine government by Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez, and Special Representative Emmanuel Bautista.

National Executive Council Member Luis Jalandoni, interim Negotiating Panel Chairperson Julieta De Lima, and panel member Coni Ledesma signed the document for the NDF.

Special Representative to the Philippines Kristina Lie Revheim signed for the Norwegian government as the third party facilitator.

Last week, the President granted amnesty to rebels including former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

The Presidential Communications Office said the amnesty was granted "to encourage them (rebels) to return to the folds of law”.

The groups covered by the amnesty under Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406, respectively were:

• Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB)
• Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) 
• Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
• Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)

—NB, GMA Integrated News