GRP, NDFP okay outline of reforms, release of political prisoners

By RAYMUND B. VILLANUEVA
Kodao Productions/ Bulatlat

OSLO, Norway – The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) concluded their second round of formal talks today with the approval of the outlines for socioeconomic reforms (SER), political and constitutional Reforms (PCR), and End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces (EHDF).

The three are remaining substantive agenda items stated in the Hague Joint Declaration, or the framework agreement for GRP-NDFP peace talks.

The GRP also promised to fulfill its commitment to release political prisoners.

The parties also agreed to continue their discussions for a possible bilateral ceasefire declaration within the month.

In his closing remarks, NDFP Chief Political Consultant Jose Maria Sison said, “The most essential success that has been achieved is the agreement on common outlines social and economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, and the end of hostilities and disposition of forces.”

Possible release of all political prisoners

Silvestro Bello III, GRP negotiating panel chairperson, said they will deliver on their promise to release NDFP-listed political prisoners.

“We know our objectives, we know our process. We will not give you timelines, but we will deliver the expectations of the NDF-CPP-NPA,” Bello said.

Bello added it is possible to release all political prisoners.

“There is mutual understanding on the rendering of justice to the unjustly imprisoned political prisoners accumulated during the (Gloria) Arroyo and (Benigno) Aquino regimes through prompt compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law,” Sison said.

In addition, the negotiations produced an agreement on the implementation of joint activities of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

The release of political prisoners had been one of the issues that the NDFP pressed the GRP with starting with new NDFP Negotiating Panel chairperson Fidel Agcaoili’s opening statement last Thursday.

Agcaoili demanded for a general amnesty for more than 400 political prisoners as “a matter of justice and compliance with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees and the CARHRIHL.”

Outlines approved

While outlines and EHDF outlines were swiftly approved by the parties’ respective Reciprocal Working Groups after just a few hours of negotiations yesterday, the Reciprocal Working Committee (RWC) on SER worked to unify their vastly differing outline proposals.

The parties said their unified outline has eight items that they will craft into a draft comprehensive agreement within nine months.

A press statement by the GRP said the CASER outline include the following:

Rural equality and development to achieve food self-sufficinecy;
A sovereign, self-reliant and industrialized national economy;
Protected and rehabilitated environment, just compensation for effected populations, and sustainable development;
Social, economic and cultural rights of the working people upheld and discrimination eliminated; and
Sustainable living incomes for all;
Affordable, accessible and quality social services and utilities;
Sovereign foreign economic policies and trade relations supporting rural development and national industrialization; and
Monetary and fiscal policy regime for national development.

Ceasefire

The GRP and the NDFP also announced that their respective ceasefire committees have until October 27 to discuss proposals for a bilateral ceasefire agreement.

In his closing statement, Bello suggested the prospective bilateral ceasefire agreement may be signed in Davao with GRP President Rodrigo Duterte.

Agcaoili was quick to clarify, however, that Bello’s proposal still needs to be discussed.

Sources said that any agreement by both parties have to be signed in Oslo as part of an unwritten agreement with the Royal Norwegian Government, the third party facilitator to the peace process between the parties.

Warmer climate

The panels announced that the next round of talks may be held on the third week of January in a neutral and foreign venue.

Members of both delegations had been suffering from coughs and cold, with several needing hospitalization brought about by the chilly weather in this Norwegian capital. (with reports from Jola Diones-Mamangun and Pom Cahilog Villanueva)