Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 2) — Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez reminded supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP) not to make demands that may thwart peacebuilding efforts between the government and rebels.
Galvez was reacting to statements released by different groups after the government announced it will resume peace negotiations with the NDFP.
“There should be no preconditions whatsoever, as these can derail future discussions,” Galvez said in a statement.
The CPP-NPA earlier expressed support for the resumption of peace talks but demanded that the government abolish the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and repeal RA 10592 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
“As we have learned from our past experiences, making such pre-conditions even before the start of the discussions puts a huge burden on both sides when there is still a need to agree on the parameters and framework of the talks,” Galvez said.
“Our future discussions should be rules-based, consultative, inclusive, and most importantly, all issues from both sides should be formally put on the table and not through other unofficial platforms,” he added.
Galvez said making such demands when both sides are still in the exploratory phase of the peace process is “unnecessary and counterproductive.”
“I would like to urge other parties to respect the Joint Statement and Oslo Joint Communique and not make preconditions or release propaganda that will water down the peacebuilding efforts of the previous and current administrations,” he said.
“We respect and appreciate your suggestions. But now is not the time to issue such premature and provocative statements that will compromise the initial ‘goodwill’ that has been painstakingly built in Oslo,” Galvez emphasized.
The Marcos administration earlier announced it will resume peace negotiations with the NDFP, as both parties acknowledged the “need to unite” to address national challenges, including foreign security threats.
Marcos has also granted amnesty to current and former members of rebel groups who may have committed crimes “in pursuit of their political beliefs.”
