Peace advocates, former ambassadors, lawmakers, governors and leaders of various organizations have called on the Marcos Jr. administration to resume peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) to put substance on the joint statement of the NDF and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) on November 23, 2023 to pursue comprehensive negotiations that were unilaterally terminated by the Duterte government.
In a statement issued on July 16, 2024, the Council of Leaders for Peace Initiative (CLPI) urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to declare his “unqualified commitment to pursuing a peaceful, negotiated solution to the long-running armed conflict that has claimed the lives of thousands of Filipinos from both sides” when he delivers his State-of-the Nation-Address (SONA) on July 22, 2024.
“We had welcomed the Joint Statement of the GRP and the NDF on November 23, 2023. That statement generated much hope and optimism among peace advocates and those most affected adversely by the ongoing armed conflict such as the rural poor and indigenous peoples’ communities. Unfortunately, since then we have not heard any positive development, especially prospects for the resumption of the formal peace negotiations,” CLPI added.
“We are concerned that this silence indicates a return to the policy of all-out war by the government, aimed at crushing the revolutionary movement using the armed might of the state. Indeed, in the wake of this policy, grievous violations of human rights and international humanitarian law are undeniable and unacceptable consequences. We underscore the folly of prioritizing government financial and other resources for this all-out war policy over providing for basic social services such as health, education, affordable housing and economic development programs that address the plight of the poor and disadvantaged,” CLPI argued.
CLPI warned that an all-out war will further exacerbate the roots of armed conflict. Moreover, this militarist policy extends to civil society, with those who legitimately criticize government policies and rightfully advocate for reforms being targeted. It denounced red-tagging, the filing of unwarranted criminal cases including charges of “terrorism” and “financing terrorism” and other forms of political harassment against cause-oriented groups and activists, development workers, human rights defenders as well as journalists.
“The military claims that the armed units of the New People’s Army (NPA) and the organized forces of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) have been significantly reduced and are bound for defeat. Nonetheless, history shows that armed conflict —rooted in widening socioeconomic and political disparities — persists precisely because those conditions lead to social unrest and lends credence and justness to the revolutionary cause,” CLPI explained. It said it is high time to pursue all avenues, especially peaceful ones, to address and bring to a negotiated solution the ongoing armed conflict, so that we can unite our people and muster our resources towards forging an independent and peaceful foreign policy.
“We reiterate our urgent call for the resumption of formal GRP-NDFP peace negotiations without preconditions, on the basis of previously inked bilateral agreements, and bolstered by confidence and trust building measures from both Parties. We call for the appointment by the GRP of its negotiating panel and for the release of NDF peace consultants who will help reconstitute the NDF panel. CLPI offers its full support for this urgent endeavor,” the statement concluded.
CLPI is comprised of leaders from diverse backgrounds and expertise who are committed to promoting transformative peace. It is a collaborative effort dedicated to accompanying and supporting the peace negotiations between the GRP and the NDF. The following are the key members of CLPI: Former Human Rights Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit; Dr. Melba Maggay; Dean Manny Quibod; former Negros Occidental Gov. Lito Cosculluela; Atty. Leo Malagar; Koko Alviar; Dr. Mike Tan; Chris Millado; Bishop Ruby-nell Estrella; Bishop Colin Bagaforo; Archbishop Jose Palma; Samira Gutoc; Rose Hajahay; Guiamel Mato Alim; former Ambassador Victoria Bataclan; Mitzi Tan, and; Atty. Tony M. A. La Viña.
