NEGRENSE officials welcomed the indefinite ceasefire agreement signed by the National government and the Communist rebels Friday as they continue with the peace talks.
Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said “it’s a good gesture by both parties that creates trust and confidence.”
However, Lacson acknowledged that “the road to peace will be long and bumpy.”
First District Representative Melecio Yap Jr. said he is hoping for “sincerity” of both parties for the sake of peace.
Second Lieutenant Ma. Revekka Roperos, public information officer of Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, said they will respect and abide with the indefinite ceasefire deal signed by the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF).
Still, Roperos said the presence of the soldiers would remain in the communities.
“The conduct of Bayanihan Team activities will remain to help our government deliver the basic services to our fellow Negrosanons. And most importantly, become an active partner to peace and development in the Negros Island Region,” she said.
Christian Tuayon, Bayan-Negros secretary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Negros, said they also welcome what both parties have agreed on.
He said though that the army should pull out its troops in the communities “to prevent violation of the interim ceasefire.”
"That’s the problem with Armed Forces, they won’t pullout their forces," he lamented.
Tuayon added that he is hoping the armed wing of both parties, the National People’s Army (NPA) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, will abide with the ceasefire.
Moreover, he also called for the immediate release of political prisoners.
In a joint statement issued Friday by the government and the NDF at the conclusion of the five-day formal peace talks in Norway, it said the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF) shall declare and issue an indefinite unilateral ceasefire order to the NPA and the people's militia when its own truce expires on Saturday.
"The aforesaid unilateral ceasefire shall be in response to President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s unilateral ceasefire which was effective indefinitely from August 21, 2016," said the joint statement signed by the members of both panels led by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III for the government and Luis Jalandoni for the NDF, the political wing of the CPP-NPA.
Both sides also agreed to work through their respective ceasefire committees to reconcile and develop their separate unilateral ceasefire orders into a "single unified bilateral document within 60 days" subject to the approval of their respective principals.
With the planned joint truce, the government and the NDF agreed for the creation of a third party ceasefire monitoring and mediation to oversee the truce and the handling of complaints and alleged violations.
"The ceasefire agreement shall be deemed interim in relation to the outcomes of negotiations leading to a Comprehensive Agreement on End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces," the joint statement said.
The government peace panel was also tasked to immediately recommend to the President the issuance of an Amnesty Program for the release of detained rebels who were charged for violation of the Revised Penal Code and other special laws in connection with alleged crimes in pursuit of their political beliefs. The Proclamation is subject to concurrence of Congress.
The parties also agreed to accelerate the peace process and set the timeline for the completion of the remaining substantive agenda for the talks: socio-economic reforms; political and constitutional reforms; and end of hostilities and disposition of forces.
The next round of formal negotiation is set on October 8-12 in Oslo.
The government and the NDF thanked Norway for its hospitality and in facilitating the talks.(With reports from Sunnex)