Peace panel renews calls for communist rebels to end violence

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Panelists from the government have renewed their calls for the communist rebel movement in the Philippines to ‘listen to the cries of peace.

In a statement issued to media on Friday, the government panel talking peace with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), and the New Peoples’ Army (NPA), said they continue to call on their counterparts to sincerity in their “professions of peace” and concern for the people.

This, they said, can be done by lowering the level of violence as a "prelude to peace."

They cited as "model to unprecedented achievement" in the peace talks is the declaration of a ceasefire between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"It is unfortunate that the CPP has called for the intensification of violence. Such a call, no matter what the provocation or reason for it was, only succeeds to make us question the real intent of the CPP/NPA/NDF," the statement said.

It stressed the government, mandated by its people, will stand by its duties and that its security forces would be ready to protect the lives and welfare of the citizenry.

Two days after the government and the MILF signed on October 15, a framework agreement for the creation of ‘Bangsamoro’ as a new political entity in the Muslim autonomous region, President Benigno Aquino III expressed sentiments about the prospects of pushing through negotiations with the communist rebel movement.

In early June this year, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said that GPH panel chair Alexander Padilla led a delegation to Oslo to meet with the NDF leadership, on invitation of the Royal Norwegian Government which is facilitating the talks.

The parties met on June 14 and 15 in Oslo and where they issued a statement that they have “agreed to continue meaningful discussions of concerns and issues raised by both sides”.

After the meeting, however, there was no report if both parties again met for another round of exploratory talks.