Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform

As Christians all over the world celebrate the advent of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace who came so that all may have abundant life (John 10:10), the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP)*, the largest ecumenical formation of church leaders in the country, reiterate our call for the resumption of the formal peace talks between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in accordance with their prior bilateral agreements.

The formal talks between the two sides have not resumed since February. We call on both sides to find remedies to the obstacles they face in pursuing the peace negotiations. Both sides should “...take heart and not erode the bridges built through the years” (Transcend the Present Impasse and Continue to Bridge the Peace: Resume the Formal Talks Now, PEPP Statement, October 20, 2011). We also anticipate the traditional declaration by both GPH and NDFP of a unilateral ceasefire in observance of the Christmas Season ... More

“They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,” they say, when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 6:14)

It is not an overstatement to say that faith communities expressed jubilation at the resumption of the formal peace talks. More elation and renewed hopes followed soon after the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines panels issued their joint statement in February. The road was clear for more rounds of talks ahead. Or so it seemed. ... More

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. ... More

(The Ecumenical Church Leaders Summit on Peace 2011 is a Conference on the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) which was initiated by the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform and held at the Mary Ridge Spiritual Center, Tagaytay City last July 19 to 21, 2011.)

Peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) have been going on and off over the past four decades in an effort to resolve the armed conflict. In February 2011, peace talks were resumed in Oslo with renewed hopes for a just and lasting resolution to this conflict.
   
It is in this context that the united voice of religious leaders representing the various religious communities in the country can play a significant role in ensuring the validity and sustainability of the peace process.  The success of this approach was historically proven in other countries with armed internal conflicts such as South Africa, Columbia, Ireland and others. ... More

The Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP), the largest ecumenical formation of church leaders in the Philippines, is apprehensive over the news that the second round of the formal peace talks between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), may not take place in June, as scheduled, following an impasse. This douses the jubilation we had following the successful resumption of the formal peace talks on February 15-21, 2011. ... More

From January to May 2011, the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform regionwide chapter in Mindanao has conducted numerous activities in pursuit of raising awareness for a just and lasting peace. Check out their presentation of the different activities here.

PEPP members and volunteers held two separate consultations with Ms. Jurgette Honculda, representative of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Atty. Edre Olalia, peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) with regards to the results of the recently concluded GPH-NDFP peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway.

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CIVIL society groups converged in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday and expressed their support to the resumption of peace talks between the government and the rebels in Oslo, Norway.

"We are seeking to unite the voice of Mindanao," said Bishop Melzar Labuntog of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF), adding that church leaders all over Mindanao, as well as their parishioners welcome the resumption of peace talks last February 15 to 21 this year "with enthusiasm and great interest."

The gathering was organized by the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP), which is co-chaired by Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, and Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes of the National Council of Churches of the Philippines. ... More

The Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP), the largest ecumenical formation of church leaders in the country, congratulates the Negotiating  Panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) for successfully concluding the first round of formal peace talks , with the help of the third party facilitator, the Royal Norwegian Government,. ... More

VARIOUS groups gathered at Gaston Park on Sunday for an interfaith prayer-rally in support of the peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front. It was the day government chief negotiator Alexander Padilla and other members of the peace panel left for Oslo, Norway, for the resumption of the peace negotiations set today until Feb. 21. ... More