Instead of peace talks, GRP dangles amnesty offer

AT GROUND LEVEL - In early September this year, presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. sent a text message to The STAR saying: "We need to continue the dialogue with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and remove the conditions that can stall our aspiration for the final peace agreement.

- Satur C. Ocampo

I am very positive and confident that with mutual respect, goodwill and understanding, we can finally achieve a principled and peaceful ending of the armed conflict and be able to transform the lives of our people towards lasting peace and development."

At the time, Galvez said exploratory talks between the two sides were ongoing and that a "mission statement" was being finalized. The exploratory talks ensued from a Nov. 23, 2023 joint statement, signed in Oslo, Norway by Luis Jalandoni for the NDFP and Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo, special assistant to President Marcos, for the GRP, that they had agreed to return to the negotiating table.

A consensus had been arrived at after nearly two years of discreet informal discussions in Oslo, facilitated by the Norwegian government, on the following:
• Cognizance of all serious socioeconomic and environmental issues and the foreign security threats facing the Philippines and the need to unite as a nation to urgently address these challenges and resolve the reasons for the armed conflict;
• Principled and peaceful resolution of the armed conflict, resolving its roots and ending it "shall pave the way for the transformation of the CPP-NPA-NDFP;"
• Agreeing on the framework that sets the priority for the peace negotiations with the aim of achieving the relevant socioeconomic and political reforms towards a just and lasting peace; and
• Such framework setting the parameters for the final peace agreement shall be agreed upon by both parties.

Sadly, the anticipated GRP-NDFP formal peace negotiations haven't taken place to this day. No word whatsoever has emanated from the Marcos Jr. government to explain why.