Manila, Dec. 3 – In the first informal meeting held under President Benigno Aquino III’s administration, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) have agreed to resume formal peace talks and observe the suspension of military operations.
Chief negotiator for NDF talks Alexander A. Padilla, who represented the government panel in the meeting held on December 1 and 2 in Hong Kong, said that both parties agreed to hold another round of informal talks in the second week of January 2011.
“This will eventually pave the way for formal negotiations on or about the third week of February 2011.
When that happens, this would be again the first of such talks after having been suspended in August 2005,” he stated during a press briefing in Malacañang.
Padilla also said that both sides have agreed that a ceasefire was to be observed from December 16, traditionally the beginning of “Simbang Gabi” among Catholics during the Christmas season, until the midnight of January 3, 2011.
“This is a total of 18 full days – the longest ceasefire period agreed upon in the last 10 years,” he said.
Padilla, together with panel member Atty. Pablito Sanidad, met with NDF panel chair Louie Jalandoni, his wife, Consuelo Ledesma, and their counsel, “without any preconceived agenda.”
“Discussions on matters of mutual concern and interest were taken up. The talks were open, friendly, free-wheeling and eventually meaningful,” he stated.
During the informal meeting, Padilla said that the effectivity of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) was reiterated to develop an “atmosphere of openness for future negotiations.”
He also said that he presented Jalandoni a copy of an order from the Department of Justice lifting the “Hold Departure Order” on the NDF negotiator, and assured him that he may now enter the country in whatever capacity whenever he desires.
“As you can imagine, there is a lot of work to be done in the next three months. Government, upon instruction of the President, shall aggressively pursue the path to peace and towards a just and honorable settlement of conflicts,” Padilla said.
He added that the panel will remain focused and hopeful that “each Filipino shares the vision of the current government in fostering the unity of our people through peace.”
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