THE Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) panel is working on the finalization of the document of bilateral ceasefire agreement, and hopeful to complete it before the year ends.
"The committees of GRP and NDF (National Democratic Front) are working on the ceasefire agreement, some of the major details of which will have to be finalized," lawyer Antonio Arellano of the GRP panel bared Tuesday, December 13.
To date, both parties each has a unilateral ceasefire and the panels are in high hopes that the bilateral agreement will push through considering the willingness of GRP and NDFP to come up with a peaceful resolution to end the armed conflict that caused the loss of many lives and deprived the people from economic opportunity.
Both parties are also working on factors such as the violation and monitoring mechanism.
"Until its completed, we can't really talk about a document which is the bilateral ceasefire agreement and we hope that it can be done and complete all this unfinished business before the end of the year," he said.
Lawyer Angela Librado-Trinidad, meanwhile, said the ceasefire committee chaired by government negotiator Hernani Braganza already has the draft of the bilateral agreement and now furnishing the details.
"Labor Secreatary Silvestre Bello III was thinking that maybe a bilateral ceasefire along with the releases could be done on December 10 but this did not happen. Our talks is still ongoing with respect to the finalization of the agreement," she said.
If this will not work this year, Arellano said they will continue until the third round of talks next year although both committees are working thoroughly to come up with the agreement.
Earlier, Bello welcomed the statement of NDF adviser Luis Jalandoni that they are willing to sign an agreement but with a condition that it will only take effect upon the release of political prisoners.
"The NDF is willing to sign a bilateral ceasefire, but Duterte has to release all political prisoners within 48 hours," Jalandoni added.
The willingness of the NDF to sign the bilateral ceasefire agreement is indeed a welcome development as this bodes well for a positive atmosphere when we meet again for the third round of talks in January, Bello said.
"A bilateral ceasefire would not only benefit the combatants but the people who are caught in the crossfire of this armed conflict," the government chief negotiator said.
Treating it like a "Christmas gift", Bello said, "Forging a bilateral ceasefire agreement is the best gift the government and the NDF can give to the Filipino people this holiday season. May this lead to the permanent end of hostilities for the new year leading to a just and lasting peace."