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Philippine civil society groups vow to aid peace process

Organizations pledge to pool resources, information to help win reforms that benefit the poor
Philippine civil society groups vow to aid peace process

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte meets government and rebel peace negotiators days before the start of another round of talks in Oslo, Norway, on Oct. 6. (Photo courtesy of Presidential Photographers Division)

Published: October 03, 2016 05:05 AM GMT
Updated: October 03, 2016 09:50 AM GMT

Faith-based and civil society groups in the Philippines vowed to share "resources and essential ground information" to help achieve "appropriate socio-economic reform agreements" between the government and communist rebels.

Government and rebel peace negotiators will start another round of formal peace talks aimed at ending almost 50 years of civil war in Oslo, Norway, this week.

“We can serve as a bridge for the peace talks," said Yolanda Esguerra, national coordinator of the Philippine-Misereor Partnership Inc.

She said faith-based organizations and civil society groups are "deeply embedded" in communities they serve. "They know what these poor communities need," Esguerra told ucanews.com.

She said the kind of development they want to bring to poor communities can only be attained if peace is achieved. 

 

People's participation

Esguerra stressed the importance of people's participation in the peace process. The outcome of the talks "will directly affect communities, especially those on the peripheries," she said.

Government peace negotiator Jesus Dureza agreed with Esguerra, saying that the poor should have "ownership of the outcomes" of the talks.

The next round of talks between the government and communist-led National Democratic Front will discuss a proposed "Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms."

"It is the heart and soul of the peace process," said government peace negotiator Jesus Dureza.

Nardy Sabino of the Promotion of Church People’s Response urged the two sides to "immediately craft agreements that will address poverty and landlessness."

He said the peace talks should "manifest real change in the lives of the poor." 

 

Release of political prisoners

The rebels, meanwhile, reminded the government on the release of all political prisoners as "compliance" with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law" that was signed by both parties

"The release of all political prisoners would also serve as a very big incentive for a stable kind of ceasefire," said Jose Maria Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Sison noted that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said "the most expeditious way to release political prisoners is through an amnesty proclamation."

At the end of the first round of talks on Aug. 26, both parties agreed that the government negotiators would immediately recommend to Duterte the issuance of an amnesty proclamation for the release of prisoners.

Rebel leader Alan Jazmines said a comprehensive agreement on social and economic reforms could pave the way for a declaration of a bilateral ceasefire.

Jazmines said "the political body language" of the government panel indicates that it is focused on a bilateral ceasefire.

 

 

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