This is an article repost.
PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. C. Aquino III wants to fast-track proposals preparatory to the second round of formal negotiations with communist rebels next month.
“Pinapa-fast-track ko na rin sa kanila, may mga proposals [I’m asking them to fast-track (preparations for the talks as) there are proposals],” said Mr. Aquino, in an ambush interview yesterday.
The President said he met with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Q. Deles on Monday for an “update” as peace efforts have concentrated on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The meeting mostly centered on the government’s “proposed opening statement for all the points that are being discussed,” said Mr. Aquino, without going into details.
He noted, however, that the wording of the statement has to be clarified to satisfy both sides.
“The actual details, we don’t see a lot of problems in it. The wording of the statement would encompass everything — their jargon is different from our jargon — so that’s a little bit trickier. But the things that would actually be put into place and the operations are not that difficult,” said Mr. Aquino.
Meanwhile, government peace panel chairman Alexander A. Padilla said he met with Felix V. Agcaoili, a member of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) — the communist party’s negotiating arm — on Saturday and reached an “understanding” that the talks will be held in September.
“We will continue to the second round of formal talks, but we still have to fix the actual date, sometime in September,” said Alexander A. Padilla in a phone interview. Initial talks were held on Feb. 21.
The agenda for the resumption of talks, which will take place in Oslo, Norway, will include the delayed Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), the draft Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms(CAPCR), and a joint monitoring committee for the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
Discussions on the draft CASER had been postponed in July and then August, barring the release of peace consultants of the NDFP.
Both sides have committed to complete the draft CASER next month, the draft CAPCR in February 2012 and the draft Comprehensive Agreement on End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces in June 2012.
“They are eager to talk… We will see what will happen in the next round of talks,” said Mr. Padilla, noting that he was also given an access line to NDFP peace panel chairman Luis Jalandoni, as a means to “talk informally” if needed.
The official admitted, however, that the rebel group has stood pat on its demand that 18 — up from the previous 14 — of its “peace consultants” be released by the government.
The government has so far released five of the detainees, the latest being Glicerio Pernia on Friday, said Mr. Padilla. Pernia was arrested on charges of murder, multiple frustrated murder and highway robbery.
Earlier freed were New People’s Army (NPA) commanders Maria Luisa Pucray and Jaime Soledad, former CPP-NPA Abra provincial party command secretary Jovencio Balweg and Western Mindanao committee member Angelina Ipong. All charges against them were dropped prior to release. The NPA is the military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
On the other hand, the rebel group has yet to release four members of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) who were abducted with Henry S. Dano, mayor of Lingig town in Surigao del Sur province, and his security detail on Aug. 6, the same day that Mr. Agcaoili and Mr. Padilla met.
Mr. Dano and his military escorts, identified as Alrey Desamparado and Rolan Saban, were taken by the rebels’ Southern Mindanao command.
“I hadn’t known about the Surigao mayor at the time, but they assured they will release the BJMP [personnel], they are just looking for the right opportunity to do so because they say that they are being chased by government forces [so it’s difficult],” said Mr. Padilla.
Asked whether a truce is in the offing for the two sides, Mr. Padilla said “it is the usual procedure to issue an order to cease offensive military operations, but this was not discussed at the time.
“I did say that this series of violence and attacks does not help peace process any, and they noted it, but nothing was said about a truce… It is better to keep talking than keep fighting,” said Mr. Padilla.
When pressed, he said that he expects a call for ceasefire “soon” while negotiations are ongoing.
CRISIS COMMITTEE
On a related development, the Surigao del Sur provincial government has established a crisis management committee headed by Governor Johnny T. Pimentel that will work on ensuring the safe release of Mr. Dano.
A provincial official, who requested anonymity as he is not authorized to release information, said yesterday that the official is safe.
“As far as I know, based on information from our sources, the mayor is safe,” he said.
==============================================================================
By: Johanna Paola D. Poblete with an input from the Mindanao Bureau
Source: Business World, Aug. 9, 2011
To view the original article, click here.
Comment here