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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Romualdez backs PBBM's decision to reopen peace talks with CPP-NDF-NPA 

Romualdez backs PBBM's decision to reopen peace talks with CPP-NDF-NPA 

Published Nov 29, 2023 11:10 am

At A Glance

  • House Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed his full support for President Marcos' decision to reopen negotiations to resume formal peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). 

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House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed his full support for President Marcos’ decision to reopen negotiations to resume formal peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Romualdez, in a statement on Wednesday, Nov. 29 called the move “a courageous and important step towards a peaceful, united, and progressive country".

“Bilang lider ng ating bansa, ipinakita ng ating Pangulo ang kahandaan na makinig sa mga hinaing ng mga kapatid nating rebelde at maghanap ng solusyon para tuluyan nang matuldukan ang lahat ng kaguluhan sa ating mga komunidad,” the House Speaker noted.

(As the leader of our country, our President has shown his willingness to listen to the grievances of our rebel brothers and to find a solution to put an end to all the unrest in our communities.)

The Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. recently announced that the Philippine government and NDF have signed the Oslo Joint Communiqué on Nov. 23. The NDF is the negotiating arm of the CPP.

The agreement calls for a “principled and peaceful resolution to the armed conflict”, which will pave the way to “resolving the roots of the armed conflict and ending the armed struggle".

Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives, is welcoming the openness of the CPP-NDF-NPA to re-establish talks with the government.

He emphasized that leaders of the communist movement and the government can finally work together to end poverty and other social ills that are the root of rebellion.

While the return to negotiations may not necessarily equate to a bilateral truce, Romualdez said that this was the beginning of a long-winding road to peace.

“Gayunpaman, umaasa ako na walang anumang kondisyon na magpapatigil sa usapang pangkapayapaan. Hindi dapat mawalan ng loob ang dalawang panig anuman ang balakid na haharapin nila sa negosasyon,” he added.

(However, I hope that there will not be any condition that will stop the peace talks. Both sides should not lose hope regardless of the obstacles they face in the negotiations)

“Ang tunay na kaunlaran ay makakamit natin kapag ang mga baril ay ginawang mga araro at traktora, kapag ang mga kamay na dating lumalaban ay nagkakaisa sa pagbuo ng ating bansa,” he further stressed.

(True progress will be achieved when guns are turned into plows and tractors, when hands that are used to fight are united to build our nation.) --Dexter Barro II

Related Tags

Peace talks CPP-NPA-NDF Martin Romualdez
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