Nego kinks with CPP/NPA/NDF ‘can be ironed out’

MANILA – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stressed that while negotiations with the communist rebels “have suffered some kinks but, hopefully, can be ironed out.”

However, the President said in a message read for her by Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita that peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are on track after the government peace panel and its MILF counterpart agreed to resume the stalled negotiations, although no date has yet been set.

“These are indeed breakthroughs in our determined efforts to achieve a just and enduring peace for all Filipinos,” the President said.

Resumption of talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) were scheduled in Oslo, Norway last August 28, but were cancelled at the last minute after the NDF made another demand for the government to drop criminal charges filed against the leaders of the CPP/NPA/NDF and their detained leaders release from detention.

The government has already complied with the earlier demand of the NDF to release of four of their leaders to join the talks in Oslo.

It may be recalled that the NDF pulled out from the peace talks with the government in 2005 after the United States and the European Union tagged the NPA, the CPP/NDF’s armed component, as a terrorist organization.

In her message commemorating the observance of the National Peace Consciousness Month, the President said the government will “continue to engage stakeholders in the communities through dialogues and collaborative endeavors to ensure that our peace agenda is reflective of the sentiments, aspirations and values of our people.”

“Peace is the foundation of development, she said, adding that “it must also be the fruit of development.  For this, my administration is committed to sustaining the primacy of the national peace agenda as a pillar of responsive governance.”

With this year’s theme: “Una sa Lahat, Kapayapaan: Putting the Peace Agenda at the Forefront,” the President urged “the support and cooperation of everyone in sustaining the gains of our peace and development efforts, and overcoming the challenges and obstacles that come our way.”

“This September, we observe anew the National Peace Consciousness Month.  As we have seen in the past five years, this is the appropriate occasion for various sectors to work hand in hand in promoting the culture of peace throughout the country,” the President added.