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[av_heading heading=’EDITORIAL’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”][/av_heading]
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THERE is nothing more tragic than the refusal of warring parties to continue to open the doors for dialogue that can result to further escalation of violence.
President Rodrigo Duterte says he does not want talk to the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) especially after an ambush by the New People’s Army (NPA) has resulted in the death of an infant. The NDFP, on the other hand, has accused the military of attacking communities suspected of supporting the NPA. The war is intensifying, and it can only get worse.
Outstanding and delicate issues should be resolved through principled dialogue over the negotiating table. Both the government and NDFP have made pronouncements that great strides towards peace have been made in the several formal rounds of talks between the two parties under the Duterte administration and facilitated by the Norwegian government. These positive results from the talks should be pursued and not abandoned. The roots of the armed conflict should be addressed and this could be achieved through the negotiations.
Furthermore, both parties have already signed agreements that will address incidents of violence. The Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and the supplementary agreement to revive and strengthen the Joint Monitoring Committee are feasible instruments to use in times like these. Both parties have also shown a sincere willingness to resolve this conflict that has been ongoing for close to 50 years through peace talks. There were already advances in the negotiations for the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms and a possible bilateral ceasefire agreement.
Both sides should stay the course and resume the peace talks. All peace-loving Filipinos must continually press and tirelessly work for peace. Let us make the pursuit of peace both in our individual lives and in the life of the nation our calling.
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