By D. L. MONDELO
For Beth, it was a long, long journey to Oslo, literally and figuratively. The road to peace, she says however, is even longer, more difficult to traverse and full of potholes.
Search for Missing Dad, Other Disappeared
Below are statements issued by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the New People’s Army: Conrado Heredia Command Front 20 Operations Command New People's Army–Southern Mindanao Press Statement 19 February 2011 CHC-NPA frees POW PO3 Sabatin; slams...
By RONALYN V. OLEA
After almost six years in detention, Angelina Bisuña Ipong, 66, finally walked free as the last in the string of cases filed against her by the military was dismissed.
By RAYMUND B. VILLANUEVA in Olso
and RONALYN V. OLEA in Manila
Arrests of NDFP consultant Alan Jazmines and activist Ericson Acosta marred the opening of the peace process in Oslo. But both sides remain optimistic that despite these incidents, the negotiations would proceed smoothly.
Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, the spokesman of the NDFP in Mindanao, enumerated today several incidents that he described as “blatant violations” of the mutually agreed ceasefire between Manila and the NDFP, whose panels have been holding peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway, since Feb. 15.
GPH-NDFP Peace Talks Opening Statements
Interview: NDFP's Jalandoni, GPH's Padilla
GPH-NDFP Peace Talks Opening Ceremony
My arrest on the very eve of the NDFP-GPH peace talks by combined forces of the AFP and PNP is an outright and arrogant mockery and sabotage of the peace process.
The government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines resumed peace negotiations on Feb. 15, 2011, after a six-year impasse. Up in the talks is the second of the four substantive agenda, socio-economic reforms. Shown above are...
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Satur Ocampo laments the statements made by the AFP about the peace talks that were mostly disparaging or negative. He says there were designed to sabotage the peace process.
I support the peace talks because I believe that the armed conflict in the country can only begin to be resolved if the two sides, the two governments of the GPH and the NDFP, sit and talk and come up with solutions to the problems that precisely resulted in the conflict.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“The armed conflict is deeply rooted in extreme poverty and social injustice suffered by the Filipino people and should be addressed by concrete measures A just and lasting peace cannot be achieved through abstract and empty peace rhetoric.” –Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Luis Jalandoni, chairman of the NDFP peace panel, said the arrest of Alan Jazmines is an attempt by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to disrupt the peace negotiations which are just about to be resumed on February 15 to 21, in Oslo , Norway.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Fr. Dionito Cabillas, Selda secretary general, said the Philippine government should work for the immediate release of the political prisoners as a sign of goodwill in the continuation of the peace talks and for humanitarian reasons.
On Valentine's Day, various progressive groups led by the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda), an organization for former political prisoners, marched from Bustillos Church to Don Chino Roces Bridge (formerly Mendiola Bridge) in Manila, demanding for the unconditional release of the 344 political prisoners in 67 jails and detention centers nationwide. The demand also came on the eve of the resumption of the GPH-NDFP formal peace negotiations, wherein among those still in detention are 14 consultants of the NDFP.(Photos by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-NCR / bulatlat.com)
The government and the AFP have consistently harped on the line that the “insurgency” is the obstacle to development, to wit: "If only the armed rebels stop fighting the government and lay down their arms, there will be peace and development in our country". This kind of thinking is totally blind to the real roots of the armed conflict and is incapable of appreciating, much less grasping, the need to address these roots in order to achieve a just and lasting peace. By CAROL PAGADUAN-ARAULLO / bulatlat.com
By RONALYN V. OLEA
It would seem to many Filipinos that the peace negotiations between the government and the Communists have achieved nothing significant. Truth is, both panels have signed several important documents that should move the process forward. Would the Aquino administration genuinely commit to these earlier agreements?
By SATUR C. OCAMPO At Ground Level | The Philippine Star Posted by Bulatlat.com A high sense of optimism enlivened the hundred or so participants of the Mindanao Leaders Peace Conference convened early this week by Inpeace Mindanao in Cagayan de Oro City. Their...
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