Philippines: Govt, communist rebels agree on ceasefire

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) - Philippine government and communist rebels have agreed on a joint interim ceasefire agreement on Monday during the fourth round of peace talks in the Netherlands.

Despite one-day delay in the resumption of talks, both panels agreed on a joint interim ceasefire as they discussed terms that will be included in the bilateral ceasefire agreement, GMA News reported on Tuesday.

The peace talks were delayed after President Rodrigo Duterte called the government peace panel to insist on four conditions before agreeing to a bilateral ceasefire.

"We welcome the openness of NDF (National Democratic Front) to undertake a forging in this round of talks of an agreement on joint interim ceasefire that will accompany our peace negotiations throughout," GMA News quoted GRP Peace Panel chief negotiator and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello II as saying.

"A special statement or agreement or memorandum of understanding can also be issued to focus on this interim bilateral agreement," National Democratic Front of the Philippines' chief political adviser and Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Professor Jose Maria Sison was quoted as saying by GMA News.

Among the issues to be discussed under the bilateral ceasefire agreement are the revolutionary tax collection of the communist rebels, hostile acts, the strength of military forces and the New People’s Army (NPA), and the release of political prisoners.

However, the NDFP said it was hopeful the matters to be discussed during the fourth round of peace talks would not be limited to the bilateral ceasefire.

"It is important to stress that the issue of ceasefire should not be pursued as an end in itself. Ceasefires, whether unilateral or bilateral or joint are just a means to an end," NDFP Peace Panel lead negotiator Fidel Agcaoili said in a statement.

Aside from the ceasefire agreement, both parties are also expected to discuss a Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER).

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza assured that agreements reached during the talks would be "reflected on the ground."

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday considered the joint interim ceasefire as a positive development. However, AFP noted that they would continue with their offensive against NPA.

AFP Public Affairs chief Marine Col. Edgar Arevalo in an interview said NPA has not stopped its offensive against the military.

Arevalo believed that the CPP has lost its control over its armed wing, the NPA, as evident by the attack by alleged communist rebels against government forces despite a unilateral ceasefire.

Following the killing of policemen by alleged members of NPA in Mindanao, Duterte lifted the government's unilateral ceasefire and terminated the peace talks in February.

The peace talks resumed after successful back channel talks between the GRP peace panel and several NDFP consultants.