Pormal na inihayag kahapon ni Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Jesus Dureza na magpapatuloy na ang negosasyong pangkapayapaan ng gobyerno at ng Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) sa susunod na buwan.

Kasunod nito, maibabalik na rin umano ang unilateral ceasefire sakaling pormal na itong matalakay ng magkabilang panig, at posibleng mapag-usapan na rin ang bilateral ceasefire sa muling paghaharap ng mga ito sa unang linggo ng Abril.

Ang informal peace talks para ipagpatuloy ang usapang pangkapayapaan ay ginanap nitong Marso 10-11, 2017.

“I am pleased to announce that the peace negotiations between Communist Party of the Philippines/ New People’s Army/ National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) which broke down weeks ago, are now back on track again. At the same time, a unilateral ceasefire that was also earlier terminated is deemed restored and reinstated but will be made effective only as soon as the respective forces of both sides are duly informed but definitely before the next rounds of talks in April, 2017,” saad sa pahayag ni Dureza kahapon ng umaga.

Empleyadong lasing, patay matapos sapakin ng ginising na katrabaho

“The unilateral ceasefire is a prelude to an interim bilateral ceasefire that needs further meeting between the two sides to determine and agree on rules, necessary guidelines and mechanisms. The parties are expected to start discussions on the bilateral ceasefire during the planned resumption of the negotiations during the first week of April, this year.

“The effectivity of the safety and immunity guarantees (JASIG) that was also ordered terminated by President has been restored to enable NDF consultants and their staff who were in jail or otherwise constrained, to physically surface and join in the peace work.”

Inihayag ang pagpapatuloy ng usapang pangkapayapaan ilang araw matapos ang ilang pagkamatay sa panig ng NPA at ng militar, na sinundan ng pagbawi ng kani-kaniyang unilateral ceasefire ng CPP-NDF at ng pamahalaan nitong Pebrero.

Inilatag ang kasunduan sa Utrecht, The Netherlands bandang 11:00 ng gabi nitong Sabado, sa pangunguna nina Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, GRP Peace Panel Chair Silvestre Bello III, GRP Peace Panel Member Hernani Braganza at mga consultant na sina Efren Moncupa at Pancho Lara.

Lumagda para sa NDF sina Peace Panel Chairman Fidel Agcaoili, Peace Panel Member Benito Tiamzon, NDF Senior Political Consultant Jose Maria Sison, Chairperson of the Reciprocal Working Group on the Cessation of Hostilities and Disposition of Foreces Wilma Austria Tiamzon, at consultant na si Vicente Ladlad.

“The GRP shall also work for the release of 19 political prisoners based on humanitarian grounds on or before the next round of talks (sa Abril 2),” saad pa sa pahayag. (BETH CAMIA at ROCKY NAZARENO)