Gov’t-NDF talks breakthrough cited

A lawyer representing the government and a Catholic priest-turned-rebel leader have agreed that the creation of a joint monitoring committee (JMC) on human rights has been "an important breakthrough" in the peace process.

The JMC, with a secretariat made of five members from each side and based in Quezon City, will hear complaints about acts committed since Aug. 7, 1998, when a human rights agreement signed by the two sides took effect.

In a joint statement, JMC co-chairmen, lawyer Carlos Medina Jr. and ex-priest Fidel Agcaoili, said the body’s joint secretariat will receive complaints and reports of alleged human rights violations, and violations of international humanitarian law.

Medina was named by the government peace panel to co-chair the JMC with Agcaoili, who was appointed by the National Democratic Front (NDF), political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Medina and Agcaoili said the joint secretariat will send complaints against government forces and the New People’s Army (NPA) to the human rights monitoring committees of Malacañang and the NDF.

The government secretariat is comprised of Ma. Carla Munsayac-Villarta, executive director; Fe Oaing, Linda Cañete, and Sandra Garcia, members; and lawyer Sarah Arriola, legal consultant.

On the other hand, the NDF panel is composed of Marissa Dumanjug-Palo, Irein Cuasay, Rosie Tumbagahon, and Levie Ebio; and lawyer Edre Olalia, legal counsel.

Other government representatives to the JMC are Rene Sarmiento, Jose Luis Martin Gascon, and Maj. Ferdinand Baraque.

The other NDF representatives are Coni Ledesma and Danilo Borjal.

Designated government observers are Mercy Contreras and Aileen Bacalzo while the NDF chose Iglesia Filipina Independiente Supreme Bishop Tomas Millamena and human rights crusader Marie Hilao-Enriquez.

The joint committee’s creation was among the rebel demands heeded by the government peace panel when the peace talks were formally resumed last February in Oslo, Norway.

The negotiations were indefinitely suspended by President Arroyo in mid-2001 after NPA hit men killed Representatives Rodolfo Aguinaldo of Cagayan and Marcial Punzalan of Quezon.

Medina and Agcaoili said members of the JMC and its secretariat will be covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees, another peace pact signed by both government and rebel panels in 1995.

With identification passes, government representatives will be allowed to enter so-called guerrilla zones, while the rebel members will not be arrested.

To date, 51 complaints have been filed against the government, particularly the Armed Forces, while none has yet been lodged against the rebels.

Agcaoili said that the NDF is willing to receive and act on grievances against the NPA.

Tarlac Gov. Jose Yap, the government panel’s senior consultant, said Mrs. Arroyo wants the talks wrapped up in six months, with agreements on the NDF’s demands.

Rebel negotiators want Malacañang to repudiate the "terrorist" listing on exiled communist leader Jose Ma. Sison by the US and the European Union.

A hot line has been set up for the public to call in their complaints.

The next round of peace talks is scheduled to take place in Norway from June 22 to 25.

Norway continues to act as host and third party facilitator in the talks. — Benjie Villa