Gobyerno ng Pinas, NDF nagkasundo sa “principled, peaceful armed conflict resolution”

KAPWA nagkasundo ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas at  National Democratic Front (NDF), political wing ng Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) sa isang  “principled and peaceful resolution of the armed conflict.”

Matapos na lagdaan ng  Philippine government at NDF ang isang  joint statement sa Oslo, Norway noong Nobyembre  23.

“Cognizant of the serious socioeconomic and environmental issues, and the foreign security threats facing the country, the parties recognize the need to unite as a nation in order to urgently address these challenges and resolve the reasons for the armed conflict,” ayon kay Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. sa press briefing sa Palasyo ng Malakanyang.

“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 (New People’s Army)-NDFP,” dagdag na wika nito.

“Acknowledging the “deep-rooted” socio-economic and political grievances, both parties agreed to come up with a framework that sets the priorities for the peace negotiation,” aniya pa rin.

Ang hakbang ani Galvez  ay naglalayon na makamit ang  “relevant socioeconomic and political reforms towards a just and lasting peace.”

“Such framework, that will set the parameters for the final peace agreement, shall be agreed upon by both parties. Consequently, we envision and look forward to a country where a united people can live in peace and prosperity,” ayon kay Galvez.

“This Joint Communique highlights a significant milestone in the quest of the Filipino people to achieve peace, reconciliation, and unity,” aniya pa rin.

Ang Joint Statement ay produkto ng serye ng “informal discussions” na isinagawa sa Netherlands at Norway na nagsimula noong  2022 sa pagitan ng mga emisaryo ng Philippine government at NDF,  na may suporta at tulong mula sa Royal Norwegian Government.

Nilagdaan ito nina Galvez, Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, at NDF national executive council member Luis Jalandoni, negotiating panel interim chairperson Julieta de Lima, at panel member Coni Ledesma.

Binigyang diin ni Galvez na wala ng ipagpapatuloy na pag-uusap dahil sa aniya’y “we will start anew.”

Malamang aniya na magpulong ang Philippine government at  NDF sa unang  quarter ng  2024.

Aniya ang paglagda sa joint communique ay walang epekto sa patuloy na operasyon ng pamahalaan laban sa armadong grupo.

“Sa ngayon po, ang ano po natin is, kung ano po ang ginagawa ng gobyerno, patuloy po iyong atin pong programa. So, it is agreed upon that there is no immediate effect,” ang tinuran ni Galvez.

Sa kabilang dako, sinabi naman ni AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., na inaasahan na nilang may 20 nanghihina ng guerilla fronts sa bansa ang “finally dissolved” sa pagtatapos ng taon.

Para naman kay Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. dapat na magpatuloy ang  security and law enforcement programs  ng gobyerno lalo pa’t ang pinakabagong developments ay “preliminary exploratory talks.”

Sinabi ng Kalihim na ang  formal transition sa hinahangad na kapayapaan  kasama ang  CPP-NPA-NDF ay kailangan na  suportado ng batas.

“Our legislators will have to participate in the process. And I think, during our last Senate budget hearing, they are going to study it already and we will work together with them to have an orderly and sustainable transition,” ayon kay Teodoro.

“We cannot set a timeline for that. It is very dangerous to set a timeline because [the transition has to be] sustainable,” aniya pa rin.

Tinuran naman ni Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan  na ang pagsisikap na makamit ang kapayapaan ay “surely inclusive and growth-inducing,” while Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said maintaining peace and order is “always a key in every economic development.”

Sinabi naman ni Brawner na dapat na ibaling ng AFP ang kanilang pansin sa  external o territorial defense, kapag natuldukan na ang tunggalian.

Kumpiyansa namang sinabi ni Galvez  na ang  exploratory talks ay mauuwi sa pagpapalabas ng final peace accord sa NDF.

“I can see that there is a positive outlook na (that) it will end with the final peace agreement. Because our talks in Oslo was founded on good faith and also on goodwill and also in sincerity. When the party said that if we will maintain that goodwill, I think we can finally end up with the final peace agreement,” ayon kay Galvez. (Daris Jose)