House leaders on PH, NDFP peace talks resumption: Brave step towards progress

House leaders on Wednesday backed the revival of the peace talks between the government and  communist rebels, saying pursuing peace is the brave and right thing to do.

Speaker Martin Romualdez and House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas issued the statements in light of the government's announcement that they and the communist rebels have agreed to restart the peace talks terminated by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017.

“I support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to reopen the peace talks with the CPP-NDF-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front and the New People’s Army). This is a courageous and important step in achieving peace and prosperity,” Romualdez said.

“The President showed that he is ready to hear out the rebels and hammer out a solution to end armed conflict in our communities,” he added.

Romualdez also lauded the communist rebels for deciding to go back to the negotiating table to address longstanding social ills of inequality, the root of the longest insurgency in Asia dating back to December 26, 1968.

“Going back to the negotiating table does not mean a ceasefire would immediately follow, but this is a start of a long journey to peace. Be that as it may, I am hopeful that the peace process will proceed smoothly,” he said.

“Progress can only be achieved if people are involved in nation building, and so I call on Filipinos to support the peace process,” he added.

Peace talks towards ending oppression

Brosas, for her part, said the resumption of peace talks is a significant step towards the pursuit of a just and lasting peace in the country.

The Gabriela lawmaker, however, shared Romualdez’s sentiments that the long and arduous journey is just getting started.

“The struggle to solve the root causes of armed conflict, including poverty, social backwardness, and lack of social justice remains a pressing and formidable task. It is imperative for the government to uphold the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), which contains the concrete steps needed to uphold genuine land reform, national industrialization, socioeconomic reforms, environmental protection, and justice,” she said.

As it is, Brosas said that socio-economic policies favor big monopoly foreign capitalists, with few wealthy, powerful families perpetuating widespread poverty, exploitation, and oppression, particularly among the working masses.

“The CASER presents an opportunity to push for systemic changes that are in line with the interests of the marginalized Filipino people,” Brosas said.

“We look forward to the discussions and negotiations between the NDFP and the government, and hope that these efforts will finally put the spotlight on the longstanding grievances and aspirations of the people,” Brosas added.

Brosas also called on both parties to come with clean hands and resilience.

“We call on them to pursue this path with sincerity and determination,” she said.

Joint communique

In separate news conferences, the government and the NDFP 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.”

“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.

For the NDFP, the joint statement was signed by National Executive Council Member Luis Jalandoni, interim Negotiating Panel chairperson Julieta De Lima, and panel member Coni Ledesma.

Special Representative to the Philippines Kristina Lie Revheim signed for Norwegian government as third party facilitator. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News