Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform

The Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP), the broadest ecumenical formation of church leaders advocating for the formal peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), is alarmed over recent pronouncements of both sides that may not auger well for the continuation of the formal peace talks.

After the spark of hope that was brought about by the GPH-NDFP formal peace talks last February, which produced the February 21, 2011 Oslo Joint Statement, the recent pronouncements to the media from both GPH Peace Panel Chair Atty. Alex Padilla and NDFP Peace Panel Spokesperson Fidel Agcaolli, bodes for another postponement of the formal talks. The talks was postponed already last June and we feel that another postponement may truly derail the peace negotiations.

The bone of contention that started the exchange of words was the issue of the release of NDFP consultants which the NDFP claims are covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). The NDFP called for a postponement of the talks last June to give time for the GPH to release the consultants. While the GPH already released four consultants, the NDFP is demanding that GPH honor the February 21 Joint Statement by releasing all consultants covered by the JASIG. The GPH recently stated that until the reciprocal working committees on CASER shall have completed the common tentative agreement on social and economic reforms, the talks will be postponed indefinitely and that there will be no formal talks on issues concerning the JASIG. This in turn was seen by the NDFP as a move to scuttle the negotiations.

In this light, we would like to appeal to both panels to iron out their differences and proceed with the formal peace talks. We believe that it is better to engage in principled debate over the negotiating table rather than other venues. The PEPP also encourages both sides to abide by their own reaffirmation of the validity and binding effect of all previous bilateral agreements as stated in the February Joint Statement. This includes the JASIG. We have previously stated that both parties “... follow the spirit of the JASIG as it is a crucial issue around the formal peace talks” and that “... its faithful implementation enables the two parties to resume the negotiations in earnest” (“Resolve the Issue on JASIG, Resume the Formal Peace Talks” PEPP Statement, June 8, 2011).

One of the major developments last February was the setting up of a timetable for the negotiations. For advocates, the schedules indicated in the timetable can be guideposts to peace. We call on both panels to work hard in order to meet the proposed schedules. If both sides abide by this, and try to build bridges instead of hurdles, and we reiterate this - through principled negotiations - our country will enjoy what the Psalmist promised, “a future awaits those who seek peace” (Psalms 37:37).

Most Rev. DEOGRACIAS S. INIGUEZ, JR., D.D.
Head of the Secretariat

Archbishop ANTONIO J. LEDESMA, SJ, DD
Co-chairperson Co-chairperson

Ms. SHARON ROSE JOY RUIZ-DUREMDES
Co-chairperson Co-chairperson