Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 2) — The Philippine government (GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDFP) postponed the fourth round of peace talks in Noordwijk, The Nethelands til 5 P.M. Tuesday.
NDFP peace negotiator Benito Tiamzon said Monday that both panels have decided to hold the opening on April 3, and resume agenda-setting for tomorrow’s panel-to-panel discussion.
The panel meeting between NDFP and GRP was supposed to start Sunday morning in Noordwijk but got delayed after President Rodrigo Duterte gave new instructions to his negotiators.
GRP chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III apologized to the attendees for the delays, saying they received a call from Duterte and discussed the issues to be taken up with the NDFP panel.
Both the GRP and the NDFP did not comment on the nature of Duterte’s call.
NDFP chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili however clarified that delays happen during negotiations, as in the case of the 2011 formal peace talks and in the first three rounds of negotiations with the Duterte administration.
The two panels are set to discuss the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms, which may address the democratic front’s conflict with the Philippine government for almost 50 years.
Clarifying the conditions
During President Duterte’s visit in Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Patag, Cagayan de Oro City, he reiterated the four conditions he gave to the NDF to resume peace negotiations in the country.
Duterte reiterated his requirements for the bilateral agreement: a document which establishes the parameters of the ceasefire, no extortion or revolutionary taxes, no claiming of any Philippine territory or estate, and the release of all military prisoners.
Duterte also noted that the document must be signed by the NDFP, GRP, with the participation of the Norwegian government who hosted the peace talks.
“Otherwise wala along magawa [I can’t do anything], and I’ll be telling the Filipino, I’ll just have to fight until kingdom come. Wala akong magawa [I can’t do anything],” Duterte said.
