Groups want NDF peace talks held in Phl

PLARIDEL, Bulacan, Philippines – A peace advocacy group has suggested to Jose Maria Sison, the Netherlands-based founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to consider holding peace talks in the Philippines and not halfway across the globe.

Ernesto Alcanzare, lead organizer of the Yes for Peace-Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran at Kasaganahan based here said they believe the peace negotiations between the communists and government can be done under the incoming administration of president-elect Rodrigo Duterte and at the same time help the country save millions in government funds.

In an online open letter, Alcanzare thanked Sison “for being more open in making statements on the issues and proposals of the National Democratic Front (NDF) online.”

He noted that “it shows you may now be ready to agree to the conduct of an open and participatory comprehensive peace process, even as you still hold on to the position that it be held outside the country primarily because of your deeply held concerns for your personal security and safety as well as those of your peace negotiators and consultants.”

Alcanzare suggested to Sison that “maybe it is about time… to seriously rethink the NDF position on the venue of talks. Perhaps, it is time for you to listen to the sentiments of 98.3 percent – based on results of the peace education and advocacy phase of Yes for Peace Bayanihan para sa KKK – of the Filipino people that peace negotiations be held here instead of abroad. You may want to consider UP as venue and mediating institution in peace negotiations as resolved by its Board of Regents in 1992.”

He added Sison “may want to livestream and post in real-time the formal proceedings of the peace talks and joint statements to show the Filipino people that, indeed, you represent our interests and not only your own.”

Meanwhile, peace advocates affiliated with the Church-led Pilgrims for Peace in Baguio City consider the June 2016 US “terrorist” listing of the CPP and the New People’s Army (NPA) as counter-productive to Duterte’s peace efforts.

While Duterte continues to pursue peace by resuming talks with the NDF, “we are tired of US interests being peddled as priority over the interests of our people, most especially when we are gearing up for reinvigorated peace negotiations,” said Rev. Rex Reyes Jr., convenor of the group. – With Artemio Dumlao, Janvic Mateo