The statement added that they are open to declaring a longer ceasefire upon the release of all political prisoners “so that everyone can participate in the peace talks,” citing the case of Ka Eduardo Sarmiento who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Muntinlupa after he was arrested in February 2009 and convicted in December 2013 with alleged trumped-up charges.
In a statement released Saturday morning, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) secretary Martin Andanar said President Rodrigo Duterte has walked an extra mile for peace and is glad that the CPP-NPA-NDF “showed a similar gesture of goodwill as a sign of sincerity to the peace process days prior to our talks in Oslo, Norway.”
He said government is optimistic that the mutual efforts of both parties would lead to fruitful negotiations that will result to substantive discussions to finally put an end to one of “Asia’s longest-running insurgencies.”
In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire effective immediately and expeted the CPP/NPA/NDF to reciprocate it.
No reciprocation was made the next day. Two days later, however, a Cafgu member was killed and four others were injured in Kapalong, Davao Del Norte on July 27.
On July 29, Duterte gave the CPP/NPA/NDF 24 hours or until 5 p.m. on July 30 to reciprocate the govenrment’s ceasefire or he will lift the ceasefire. He lifted the ceasefire at 7 p.m. on July 30, two hours after his deadline lapsed.
On August 7, Duterte warned the CPP/NPA/NDF he would call off the talks if they do not stop using landmines. Duterte issued the warning at the wake of four soldiers who were killed in Compostela Valley province on August 5.[]
The NPA owned up the ambush.
In its August 19 statement, the CPP expressed its deep appreciation to President Rodrigo Duterte who is determined to push forward and accelerate the negotiation between the GPH and the CPP/NPA/NDF (CPP/New Peoples Army / National Democratic Front) as “a means of address the roots of the civil war in the Philippines.”
The members of both panels will discuss, among others, social and economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, end of hostilities and disposition of forces, ceasefire, joint security and immunity and release of political detainees.
Also on Friday, Rubi del Mundo, spokesperson of the NDF-Southern Mindanao Region, announced the release of Chief Insp.[]
