MANILA, Philippines — Rights group Karapatan on Monday welcomed the resolution of at least 60 legislators at the House of Representatives urging President Rodrigo Duterte to resume peace talks between the government and the communist rebels.
In a statement, Karapatan said the resumption of peace negotiations should pave way for agreements on socio-economic and political reforms that would benefit Filipinos, particularly the peasants and the workers.
Administration and opposition lawmakers, including those in the left-wing Makabayan bloc, signed House Resolution 1803, calling on the president to complete the government’s comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms.
READ: 61 lawmakers urge Duterte to resume peace talks
Last November, Duterte signed Proclamation 360, which formally terminated negotiations with the National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army. He cited the rebels’ supposed failure to display sincerity to the peace process.
Two weeks later, the chief executive proclaimed CPP and its armed wing NPA as terrorist groups.
READ: Duterte declares CPP-NPA as terrorist groups
Respect agreements
Should the peace talks continue, the administration should respect previously signed agreements such as the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect on the Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and The Hague Joint Declaration, the group underscored.
“Thus, the enabling environment for the peace talks should mean that there is sincerity in upholding and implementing these agreements,” Karapatan said.
It noted that among the steps consistent with the CARHRIHL include the dismissal or withdrawal of the justice department petition seeking to tag CPP-NPA as terror bodies and naming activists and dissenters as terrorists, release of political prisoners, junking of martial law declaration in Mindanao and cessation of military operations in communities.
“The Duterte administration should always be reminded that just and lasting peace can only be achieved by respecting people’s rights, including their right to self determination and the right to act against tyrannical regimes. All-out war has only fomented greater unpeace,” Karapatan said.
READ: Terrorist petition a ‘virtual hit list’ — Human Rights Watch