Castelo: Huwag panghinaan sa peace process at magkaroon ng cooling off period

Nanawagan kahapon si Quezon City Rep Winston Winnie Castelo sa Malakanyang at sa communist leaders na panatilihing bukas ang daan tungo sa kapayapaan at huwag gawing dahilan sa maagang paghinto ng usapang pangkapayapaan dahil lamang sa mga panibagong chain of events.

Tinukoy ni Castelo ang pafpatay ng may tatlong sundalo ang pagbihag ng dalawa pa sa Mindanao ng mga NPA rebels, ang kasunod na pagkansela ng unilateral ceasefir nito, at ang demand ng NDF na pakawalan ang may 400 diumano’y mga polkitical prisoner, at naging dahilan ng pag-terminate ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa usapang pangkapayapaan.

Sinabi ni Castelo na umasa siya ang punto de vista ng pamahalaan at ng mga rebelde sa mga hindi kanaisnais na mga kaganapan kamakailan lamang ay maging hamon or mgs stumbling bloct lamang sa isang masyadong mahirap na pangkapayapaang proseso at hindi isang pako na gamiting selyo sa pagwawakas nito.

Sinabi ni Castelo na ang bawat administrasyon magmula pa kay Pangulong Cory Aquino ay naglunsad ng mga pagsisikap na mawakasan na ang matagal nang communist-inspired rebellion sa mundo at makamit ang permanenteng national na kapayapaan..

Ang bawat administrasyon ay nakaranas ng tagumpay at kabiguan at ni isa dita ay nakakompleto sa misyon.

Ayon sa kanya, pinagsikapan ng Malakanyang ang mainam na pagkakataon upang ganap na mawakasan ang communist-inspired insurgency at dapat huwag basta-bastang wakasan na agad ang hangarin.

Ang kapayapaan ay parating mahirap makamtan at palagi umanong may mga malalaking problema ang nakakaharap lalu na sa pagkamit ng kompiyansa sa bawat panig.

One hundred three (103) congressmen authorsHouse Resolution No. 769

One hundred three (103) congressmen authored House Resolution 769 urging President Rodrigo Duterte to continue the peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), considering the unprecedented and significant advances made on the substantive agenda of the negotiations for the benefit of the Filipino people.

Thirty (30) party lists solons signed, while nineteen (20) congressmen from Mindanao, eleven (11) from Visayas and forty-two (42) solons from Luzon. Among those who authored the resolution are three deputy speakers.

HOUSE RESOLUTION No.  769

Introduced by Representatives Abayon III, Abellanosa, Acharon, Aggabao, Albano, Almonte, Antonio, Arcillas, Arenas, Aumentado, Bataoil, Batocabe, Belmonte (J.), Bernos,  Bertiz, Bolilia, Bordado Jr., Bravo (A.), Bravo (M.V), Brosas, Bulut-Begtang, Campos, Canama, Casilao, Castro (F.L), Cerilles, Collantes, Cortes (J.), Crisologo, Cuaresma,  Cueva, De Jesus, De Vera, Del Mar, del Rosario, Deloso-Montalla, Durano VI, Dy, Elago, Eriguel, Escudero, Ferrer, Fortun, Garbin, Gonzaga, Gonzalez (A.), Gonzales (F.) Go, Hernandez, Jalosjos, Kho, Lacson, Lagman, Lee, Lopez (B.), Malapitan, Mangaoang,  Marcoleta, Mellana, Mendoza, Mirasol, Nolasco, Oaminal, Olivares, Ong (E.), Ortega, Pacquiao, Paduano,  Palma, Panganiban Jr., Panotes, Papandayan Jr.,  Pimentel, Pineda,, Radaza, Rodriguez Jr., Roman, Roque (H.), Roque (R.), Sacdalan,  Salo, Salon, Salceda, Sandoval II, Santos-Recto, Savellano, Sema, Siao, Singson, Suarez (A.), Tejada, Ting, Tinio, Ty, Uybarreta, Vargas-Alfonso, Vergara, Villanueva, Violago, Yap (M.), Zarate, Zubiri

RESOLUTION URGING PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. DUTERTE TO CONTINUE THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES (GRP) AND THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES (NDFP), CONSIDERING THE UNPRECEDENTED AND SIGNIFICANT ADVANCES MADE ON THE SUBSTANTIVE AGENDA OF THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE

WHEREAS, on February 5, 2017, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte announced that the peace negotiations between the NDFP and GRP is terminated “unless there is a compelling reason that will benefit the nation”. This was after both parties lifted their respective unilateral cease-fire declarations;

WHEREAS, termination of the peace talks was announced just barely two weeks after what has been a successful third round of talks, held in January 19-25 at Rome Italy, with both panels achieving significant advances from the major issues listed in their January 18 agenda, which includes the following:

*  Breakthrough in the discussion on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER), a landmark document that shall address the country’s chronic poverty situation, with both parties reaching an agreement in principle on the first four items of the draft, which includes free land distribution to landless farmers;

*  Agreement to form Bilateral Working Teams of Reciprocal Working Committees (RWCs) in order to accelerate the drafting of CASER;

*  Exchange of drafts and initial discussion on Political and Constitutional Reforms;

*  Signing of a Supplementary Agreement for the operationalization of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL);

*  Agreement of both parties to discuss GRP’s proposal for a bilateral ceasefire on February 22-25, 2017 in the Netherlands;

WHEREAS, it should be emphasized, as compared to previous administrations, that the peace negotiations under the Duterte administration have reached remarkable and unparalleled headway; terminating the same would only put to waste the unprecedented, positive and substantial gains the peace talks have reached. In fact, it is expected in the 4^th round of talks that major points will be agreed upon that will lead to the signing of CASER;

WHEREAS, it is highly imperative that this Congress hear the Filipino people’s desire to support the resumption of the peace negotiations. It is just and lasting peace itself that is the very compelling reason to continue the peace negotiations.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the House of Representatives adopt this Resolution, urging President Rodrigo Duterte to continue the peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), considering the unprecedented and significant advances made on the substantive agenda of the negotiations for the benefit of the Filipino people.