A GROUP of religious leaders are hopeful that the coming peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) will have its effect on the ground with both state forces and Maoist guerrillas standing down.
“We hope the spirit of the peace negotiations will trickle down to the conflict areas and that during the duration of the talks the military and the NPA (New People’s Army) will not engage in armed confrontation,” said Bishop Felixberto Calang, of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and national core member of the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) in a phone interview, on Sunday, August 21.
The NPA is the armed wing of the NDF with links to the Communist Party of the Philippines.
According to reports, the NPA will declare temporary cessation of offensive operations starting August 26 in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order of a unilateral ceasefire.
With both groups expectedly standing down, this would also mean no civilians, most especially the indigenous people living in far-flung villages, will be further displaced due to fighting and those who have evacuated can return to their communities, Calang said.
For his part, Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, PEPP co-convenor, is also supporting for the two parties to sit down and discuss about peace and suspend combat operations at the same time.
“It is contradictory to keep talking about peace and yet there is an ongoing conflict,” Ledesma said in a separate interview, adding panelists from both parties can learn from the earlier efforts for peace building.
“It’s a good thing both sides know each other, they are familiar with each other. Maybe peace begins with friendship,” he added.
Calang and Ledesma both welcomed the temporary release of imprisoned NDF leaders so they can join the formal negotiations as peace consultants in Oslo, Norway, this week.
In the past, PEPP played a role in negotiating for the freedom of police and military personnel held captive by the NPA in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.
Two of the NDF leaders, Alfredo “Ka Paris” Mapano and Pedro “Gonyong” Codaste, were freed on bail and have flown to Manila to join other peace consultants in Oslo.
Mapano, who is facing multiple charges for murder, multiple murder and robbery in four different regional trial courts in the cities of Malaybalay, was able to post the P100,000 bail.
Codastre, who was incarcerated at the Malaybalay City Jail for the same offenses, also posted the same amount.
In previous interviews, Mapano expressed optimism that the peace negotiations will succeed owing to the sincerity of the Duterte administration to pursue the talks with the Communist rebels.
During the peace negotiations, Mapano will take part in the technical working group that will discuss on political and constitutional reforms and cessation of hostilities.
Codastre will join Mapano in the crafting of provisions that would end the armed conflict between government forces and Maoist insurgents for good.