Government peace panel chief negotiator Secretary Silvestre Bello III said on Tuesday that the fifth round of peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front will resume in August.
Bello, who broke the news during a press briefing in Malacañang, said that he had talked with NDF peace panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili last Sunday and they agreed to resume the stalled peace negotiations next month.
“Chairman [Fidel] Agcaoili and I talked last Sunday evening. We have an initial understanding that we will probably have the fifth round [and it] will probably be realized second or third week of August,” said Bello, also the Labor Secretary.
“But before that, this time we will have a good result, there will be an informal meeting between the panel.”
Bello also said the peace talks has the blessing of President Rodrigo Duterte. He said the meeting may be in Asia or in the Philippines.
“Although the NDF would like to have it somewhere in—they were mentioning Japan. My worry is Japan is too far, and maybe talks could be held in Hong Kong or the Philippines. Especially so that Joma Sison will not be attending, it will only be their panel, so there’s no problem there,” said Bello.
Bello said he expects that there will be an informal meeting and they will discuss mainly the issue of socioeconomic reforms and possible interim unilateral ceasefire.
He added that they will have initial meeting so by August, the talks will be clear.
“And it will only before submission to the panel for formal approval by the panels,” he said.
Bello also said the informal talks will be held within the third or last week of July. “Actually, the cancellation of the fifth round was not attributed to the attacks. Because the reality is that there is an existing armed conflict. That is the reason why we are talking to end the armed conflict. So while we are talking, you expect some skirmishes once in a while.”
Bello also said that before they left for The Netherlands, the Communist Party of the Philippines issued a statement saying—“We will accelerate and intensify our attacks against government.”
“This is no longer in keeping with the provisions of The Hague Joint Declaration, which says that both parties should provide an atmosphere conducive to the conduct of a peace negotiation.”
“You are violating the basic framework of our process and that is The Hague Joint Declaration,” Bello had told the CPP.
Bello said it is possible there will be a truce while the talks are held.
“It’s possible. That’s what I said, that informal meeting in the end of July, we’ll be discussing interim unilateral ceasefire, separately signed by both parties.”
Bello said “There is always a hope for a peace process.” If you borrow the words of Secretary Dureza, in the process, there will be humps and bumps but we will not — we will stay in the course of the process because there is no alternative.”
“This is the best legacy that our President can give to our country: an enduring and lasting peace for everyone,” said Bello.
With regards to the interim unilateral ceasefire , Bello said this may also be signed during the formal peace talks in August or before that time.
“It could be before or it could be during. The important thing is they would discuss this, if they would wait for the formal talks before this would be signed, then we will wait for that,” he said.
Otherwise, since it’s interim, interim unilateral ceasefire. One of the issues there would be, who will be the referee? For example there is a violation, which is a sensitive issue, who will be the referee?,” said Bello.
Bello said government panel member Secretary Hernani Braganza mentioned an innovative idea of a referee. “It could be a joint team, joint monitoring team of the ceasefire,” said Bello.
Bello also said that there will be no timeline for the talks. “For me, it will be for as long as we do not have the bilateral ceasefire.”
Meanwhile, the AFP Operational Directive 0217, a martial law directive, and the third directive to degrade arm capabilities of the New People’s Army (NPA) will not affect the talks since, “that’s a normal operation of the Armed Forces”, said Bello.
“So, the NPA — the CPP understand that. Just like the once in a while they also launch offensive against our forces.”
Bello also denied rumors that due to the martial law, the communists will also be attacked by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“I don’t think the President has any intention of doing that because he made it very clear that he declared martial law in the fight against terrorism. So, martial law was declared to counter terrorism,” he said. He also denied information about government will stop the peace talks with the communists due to allegations of the NPAs’ extortion activities.
“Kasi ‘yung palaging pinaguusapan ‘yung extortion activities, ganon. Alam naman natin na they are not into extortion, they’re into what you call… Ano ‘yung paborito? ‘Yun, revolutionary tax collection.”