President Rodrigo Duterte has instructed the government peace panel to produce a signed bilateral ceasefire agreement with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) when both panels resume talks in Utrecht, The Netherlands on April 2 to 6.
Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) chief negotiator Sec. Silvestre Bello III said Friday this was the instruction given to them by the President during their meeting last Monday in Davao City. Also present in the meeting was Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza.
Bello said there will be no unilateral declaration of ceasefire on the part of the government prior to the holding of the 4th round of talks.
Amid the increasing offensive attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels especially in Bukidnon, Agusan and Davao areas, Bello said the government panel will continue to be steadfast in their efforts and resolute in putting a closure to the armed conflict.
“We owe this to our people. Our millennials deserve it,” Bello said in a press briefing in Malacanang aired live on television.
Bello is hoping they would arrive at a consensus on the bilateral ceasefire to end the hostilities on the ground.
“We expect the discussion in this round of talks to be very, very, very difficult and exacting but we shall be persistent in advancing the cause of peace as inspired by our President’s determination to unite our people,” Bello pointed out.
The President’s decision came on the heels of the announcement of the NPA in Mindanao to terminate its unilateral ceasefire declared in August. The termination of the unilateral ceasefires by both sides resulted to a number of clashes between the NPA and government troops.
Given the setbacks, Bello underscored President Duterte’s efforts and initiatives to achieve an inclusive and lasting peace in the country.
Following the announcement of the Communist Party of the Philippines on their intention to declare a unilateral ceasefire before the 4th round of talks, Bello said the President wants the bilateral ceasefire agreement signed.
“I think we should concentrate more on this (bilateral ceasefire) more important agreement because this is where we will be assured of the lowering or ending of hostilities,” he pointed out.
(with reports from Philippine News Agency)
