Cabinet cluster okays joint ceasefire with NDF

The Cabinet Cluster E approved yesterday a re-commendation to declare a joint ceasefire between the government and the communist National Democratic Front (NDF) ahead of the resumption of formal peace negotiations on April 27.

As this developed, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) sent a note verbale to the Norwegian Embassy to secure the Scandinavian country’s formal commitment to host the peace talks.

Chief government negotiator Silvestre Bello III said the declaration of a ceasefire paves the way for the holding of formal talks in the Norwegian capital of Oslo.

"We will recommend to the NDF the declaration of a bilateral ceasefire," Bello said following the closed-door meeting chaired by President Arroyo and Vice President Teofisto Guingona.

Others who attended the meeting at the Office of the Vice President were Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita, Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and National Security Adviser Roilo Golez.

During the meeting, it was agreed that the talks be held in Oslo and that Guingona, the concurrent foreign affairs secretary, would officially transmit a formal request to the Norwegian embassy.

"All is clear for the talks to resume in Oslo," Bello said.

The other day, Norway expressed uncertainty about hosting the peace talks between Philippine government officials and communist leaders, saying it still does not know what the two sides would need.

Norwegian officials said Oslo still has to receive any request to host the talks.

Sources at the DFA said Philippine foreign affairs officials will be seeking a meeting with their Norwegian counterparts so the details for the holding of peace talks in Oslo can be discussed.

"I think Norway wants to play a substantive role. We have to clarify with officials there what we want and if these are acceptable to them," one source said.

Meanwhile, the recommendation for a ceasefire was welcomed with caution by NDF chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni, who said any declaration would still have to be studied carefully.

"I have to receive their position paper first and confer with other leaders before approving any ceasefire," he said.

Prior to arriving in Manila last Sunday, Jalandoni said they had already made arrangements with the Norwegian government concerning the venue for the talks.

"I’ve spoken with the Norwegian ambassador, who told me they were simply waiting for a formal request from the government panel," the communist leader said.

Jalandoni said he would be meeting with the Norwegian ambassador next week and on April 26. Both the government and NDF peace panels are also set to meet with Norwegian foreign ministry officials in Oslo.

The President hinted last Tuesday that the government is willing to consider Malaysia and Indonesia as possible hosts for the peace talks with the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"Perhaps a shifting venue will symbolize the unity of the ASEAN in the pursuit of peace and development," the President told envoys of Organization of Islamic Community (OIC) who paid her a courtesy call at Malacañang.

Provincial police on heightened alert

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Leandro Mendoza has alerted all regional and provincial police forces against possible communist rebel attacks when the unilateral 30-day suspension of offensives is lifted in 11 Southern Tagalog provinces today.

A "heightened alert" status has been raised, placing all police units in the country on round-the-clock readiness not only against New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas but also against criminal elements.

The alert includes security coverage of vital government installations and other preventive measures to negate possible destabilization and terrorist activities.

"Terrorists, particularly the NPA, have been known to stage attacks during Holy Week," Mendoza said.

Past NPA activities during the period include raids on isolated police and military posts and assassination of government personnel.

"There is always a possibility that terrorists may take advantage of the long Lenten break to advance their agenda of violence," the PNP chief pointed out.

In a related development, party-list nominee and Gabriela secretary general Liza Maza urged the government to immediately release three minors detained in the Albay provincial jail "as a sign of goodwill and sincerity in pursuing the peace talks."

The three minors, 15-year-old Neschil Navarro, 16-year-old Ailyn Navarro and 17-year-old Lamberto Nubia, are included in the list of political prisoners recommended for release.

Maza lamented that Malacañang still has no decision on the case.

The three were arrested last October while staying at a relative’s house that police claimed was a meeting place for NPA rebels.

One of those arrested claimed they were only spending the night there because it was raining so hard and couldn’t go home to Caguiba after visiting the Grotto of Lourdes.

Gabriela said it has documented 13 women and minor political prisoners detained in several parts of the country.

"But we are disheartened to discover that only a few are included in the list for immediate release," Maza said. – With Aurea Calica, Jaime Laude