After six long years, we in the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) agreed to enter anew a process of resuming formal peace talks with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) on the bases of the premises and context of the Joint Statement of November 23, 2023 signed in Oslo.
We have repeatedly stressed that it is necessary to address the roots of the problems affecting our people. This means, among others, the land problem that impacts on more than 70% of the entire population, namely the peasantry. Their struggle for land must be addressed.
Moreover, we in the NDFP have firmly asserted from the start that we must build on the basic bilateral agreements, namely, The Hague Joint Declaration of September 1, 1992, the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) which remain binding between the Parties.
The various issues and concerns from both sides remain outstanding and are yet to be negotiated across the table.
But there is and should absolutely be no talk or insinuation, much less demand, about the surrender of the NDFP or of the revolutionary struggle of the CPP, NPA and NDFP.
The peace negotiations are not negotiations for capitulation but rather a unique opportunity to find mutually acceptable and principled ways of addressing the root causes of the civil war, as well as identify joint and separate commitments, to genuinely resolve the real reasons for the armed conflict.
We in the NDFP are ever committed to enter into peace negotiations with the GRP in a determined quest for a just and lasting peace that will be of lasting benefit to the Filipino people.
Luis G. Jalandoni
Member, NDFP Executive Council
Senior Adviser to the NDFP Negotiating Panel
