THE RECENT statement of Secretary Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser to the peace process, that President Rodrigo Duterte has directed government negotiators to work on the resumption of peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is most welcome. The NDFP, on the other hand, said it is open to the possibility of resuming peace talks with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines “without preconditions.” These pronouncements come at the heels of House Resolution No. 1803 signed by more than 60 Representatives urging the President to resume and continue the peace negotiations.
Peace-seeking Filipinos appreciate these developments. President Duterte’s signing of Proclamation No. 360 formally terminating the peace talks in November last year and the government’s subsequent declaration of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army as terrorist organizations were lamentable. It is fervently hoped that the atmosphere for the resumption of the stalled talks will continue to spread positively.
Principled dialogue at the negotiating table to resolve this 50-year old conflict is much better than violence and bloodshed. Both the government and NDFP must resume the formal peace talks through the third party facilitation of the Royal Norwegian Government. Both parties must also fully implement the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and respect previously signed agreements.
The negotiations for the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms must resume, and possibly for ceasefire agreements, too.
We all desire a just and lasting peace. We may have different views on how to pursue national development, but we can find our common ground.
