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[av_heading heading=’EDITORIAL | Earnestly negotiate’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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Tuesday, April 4, 2017
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IT IS the hope of all peace-living Filipinos that the fourth round of talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines this week in The Hague, The Netherlands will be successful.
Both sides should be commended for overcoming the obstacles that threaten to derail the peace talks and undermine its achievements in the last six months. It is the prayer of everyone that the talks continue to progress and that both sides keep on pushing for the attainment of a just and lasting peace.
The armed conflict in our country has been ongoing for 48 years or almost half a century. That the New People’s Army, celebrating its 48th year, continues to be active all over the country means the roots of the armed conflict remain unresolved. The peace talks should unite on substantial agreements that address these roots.
Preconditions – such as the very issues being negotiated and addressed like the bilateral ceasefire, taxation, territory, the release of all political prisoners – for the resumption of peace talks must be avoided. That would be putting the cart before the horse. Rather than creating more stumbling blocks or obstacles to the talks, both sides should earnestly negotiate.
In particular, we call on both parties to focus on forging a substantial agreement on social and economic reforms. The negotiations for a bilateral ceasefire agreement, while important, is just starting and should not hinder the progress already made on the substantive agreements on social and economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, and the end of hostilities.
It is the Filipinos’ hope that both sides look towards the attainment of a just peace – one that will benefit the whole country and bring us towards true progress. This dream should be the main motivation for continuing and accelerating the talks.
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