MANILA — The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains optimistic that the government will finish the final peace agreement with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDF).
“Very, very optimistic. Yes, within the term of the President – or even before the term ends,” Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (PAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. told the Malacañang Press Corps on Monday, September 2.
Galvez made the remarks when asked how optimistic is the government that the peace negotiations between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF will be signed during the administration of President Marcos.
Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., who represented the government, and Luis Jalandoni, a member of the National Executive Council of the NDFP for the communist group, signed a joint communique in November last year.
The government and the NDFP, the political-wing of the CPP and the NPA, have agreed to a principled and peaceful resolution to the armed conflict and end the armed struggle, recognizing the need for the Philippines to unite in the face of serious socioeconomic, environmental and foreign security challenges.
Both sides agreed to engage in dialogues to come together on a peace and transformation framework that focuses on further addressing the socio-economic and political drivers of the armed conflict and finally ending the more than five decades-old communist insurgency.
Signing as witnesses were Galvez and retired general Emmanuel Bautista for the GRP, and Julieta de Lima, the Interim Chairperson of the negotiating panel of the NDFP with Coni K. Ledesma, a member of the NDFP negotiating panel.
Also signing was Special Representative Kristina Lie Revheim on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG). Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide of the RNG graced the ceremony.
Galvez said the exploratory talks between the two parties are still ongoing. He explained both parties will also come up with a framework before reaching the final peace agreement.
“So, sa ngayon ongoing po ang ating constituency building, and also ongoing pa rin po ‘yung exploratory talks natin po,” Galvez said.
“The President is very committed to finish all agreements and implement it during his term. So, ‘yun po ang pinaka guidance niya po sa amin and we are more than happy and being inspired na we commit to the aspiration of the President and the national government that we will finish the final peace agreement with the CPPA-NPA in the future,” he added. (PND)
