The Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), have agreed to a “principled and peaceful resolution” of the communist armed conflict which is seen to effectively resolve its roots and end the 55-year-long communist rebellion in the country, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. announced Tuesday, Nov. 28.

In a press conference at Malacanang, Galvez said that the national government (GRP) and the NDFP have affirmed and signed the Oslo Joint Communique and a joint statement on Nov. 23 in recognition of the "need to unite as a nation" and urgently address and resolve the reasons for the armed conflict while cognizant of the "serious socioeconomic and environmental issues, and the foreign security threats" faced by the country.

"The parties acknowledge the deep-rooted socio-economic and political grievances and agree to come up with a framework that sets the priorities for the peace negotiation with the aim of achieving the relevant socioeconomic and political reforms towards a just and lasting peace. Such framework, that will set the parameters for the final peace agreement, shall be agreed upon by both parties," Galvez said.

According to Galvez, the joint statement was a product of a series of informal discussions held in the Netherlands and Norway starting in 2022.

The joint communique and statement were signed by the GRP represented by Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo Jr.; Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr.; and former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Emmanuel T. Bautista; and the NDFP represented by National Executive Council Member Luis G. Jalandoni; Negotiating Panel Interim Chairperson Julieta de Lima; and Panel Member Coni K. Ledesma.

The discussions and the signing were facilitated by the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) and witnessed by RNG Special Envoy Kristina Lie Revheim.

Galvez said that the deal signified that both parties were "very firm and committed" to establish the framework agreement which will be the basis for the crafting of the final peace agreement.

"I take this opportunity to call on all Filipinos to unite and fully support our President, Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, and your government in this most noble endeavor: to finally realize our collective and shared aspiration of a peaceful, prosperous, and unified country," Galvez said.

The agreement was reached following the granting of amnesty by Marcos to rebels and insurgents, including members of the CPP, its armed wing New People's Army (NPA), and the NDFP. The CPP has been waging a communist rebellion against the government for 55 years.

It marked a long journey of discussion between the GRP and NDFP to find common ground to end the insurgency problem, which hit a snag in 2017 when the Duterte administration formally terminated the peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF "due to the insincerity and lack of commitment on the part of the rebel group."

Effect on ground

Despite this, Galvez clarified that operations on the ground by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police (PNP) shall continue.

"Kung ano po ang ginagawa ng gobyerno, patuloy po iyong atin pong programa (Whatever the government is doing, our programs will continue). So, it is agreed upon that there is no immediate effect," he said.

Galvez said the GRP and NDFP will also discuss the designation of the CPP-NPA-NDFP as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC).

"It will be part of discussions, so they are undergoing the discussion right now [in Oslo] with our negotiating team and I cannot preempt the discussion that being undertaken right now," he said.

Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said that the security operations by the AFP will continue as he left it to the discretion of the troops on the ground whether or not they will suspend their operations.

"We leave it to the local peace and order councils and the area commanders, unit commanders to determine whether or not they will suspend operations in their area of responsibility," he said.

Question on sincerity

Part of the reasons why the peace talks between the GRP and CPP-NPA-NDFP fumbled under the previous administrations was both parties accusing each other of lacking sincerity in adhering to a ceasefire.

However, Galvez said that under the present administration, he believes that the communist groups have exhibited a different kind of commitment to work with the government so they can lead new lives.

"With the gut feel that I have, I believe nakita ko (I saw) personally, there is that kind of commitment and also there is a kind of goodwill on both parties to continue to discuss some principled resolution to end really the armed conflict," he said.

'Felt by communities'

Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said the government’s agreement with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) will be greatly beneficial to local government units (LGUs) infested by insurgency.

“Iyong sa local government units, ‘yung effect nito, napakatindi ng epekto nito because this is already grassroots, ‘no. Ramadam ng local government units especially those affected by insurgency (The effect of this agreement is great for local government units because this are the grassroots. This will be felt by local government units especially those affected by insurgency),” he said.

The transition period of the peace agreement is very crucial, the DILG chief stressed.

“What is important will be this transition period na kung saan of course, sabi nga ng ating mahal na Pangulo it’s a whole-of-government approach, kaya nandirito kaming lahat ngayon (What is important will be this transition period which of course, as our dear President said it's a whole-of-government approach, that's why we are all here today),” he stated.

Peace and order, according to Abalos, is always a key ingredient in every economic development.

“ So diyan na papasok lahat—magtutulungan ang lahat ng ahensya towards this goal, Of course, nandiyan sa grassroots ang local government units (So there’s when they all enter---all agencies will work together towards this goal. Of course, in the grassroots, the local government units are there),” he said.

PNP sees lasting peace at last

On the part of the Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda is hoping for a “long and lasting peace” in the country following the agreement reached by the GRP and NDFP.

“Well, on the part of the PNP, bilang ama ng pulisya ng Pilipinas, talagang napakasakit po every time that I will pin medals to wounded police officers and more so when I give condolences to relatives or wives ng ating kapulisan na nadadali sa engkwentro ng pakikilaban (Well, on the part of the PNP, as the father of the Philippine police, it really hurts every time that I will pin medals to wounded police officers and more so when I give condolences to relatives or wives of our police who die during encounters ),” Acorda said.

“In line with this, this is a very welcome development, I hope this will lead to long and lasting peace.”

Such development, he said, will lead to more food for Filipinos as the funds intended for the procurement of ammunitions and armaments could be redirected.

“And I look at it as a way of adding more food to the table sa mga Pilipino, instead of spending more money sa ammunitions and other armaments (And I look at it as a way of adding more food to the table for Filipinos, instead of spending more money on ammunition and other armaments),” Acorda said.

“Madadagdagan po ‘yung ating mga makinarya at inprastraktura that will help us attain maximum development. That’s how I look at it and it is a very welcome development po (Our machinery and infrastructure will be increased that will help us attain maximum development. That's how I look at it and it is a very welcome development),” he added.