Philippine rebels agree to indefinite cease-fire

It is also of crucial importance that the whole of the communist movement National Democratic Front of the Philippines is now represented here in Oslo, ‘ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

The latest ceasefire was a continuation of an earlier one called by the government, but which expired today.

Bello said the government was looking towards a final peace agreement with the NDF to end nearly half a century of armed hostilities across the Philippine countryside.

Both panels agreed to meet again on October 8-12, also in Oslo.

An official signing is slated to be held at 11 a.m. (0900 UTC) Friday in Oslo followed by a joint declaration, the statement said.

Philippine government negotiators Jesus Dureza (L) and Silvestre Bello sign an indefinite ceasefire agreement with communist rebels at a meeting in Oslo, Norway, August 26, 2016.

The two police officers were released the same afternoon that President Duterte was scheduled to speak as a guest of honor at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom).

A WHOLE LOT OF PEACE – Members of the Philippine government and National Democratic Front panels, their staff and supporters gather for a photo after signing an agreement for an indefinite ceasefire, an “unprecedented” development in the negotiations between the two sides in Oslo, Norway, on Friday. None of the acrimonious exchanges happened.

Yes, there were breaks in between but they were devoted to discussing the fine prints of the documents and drafts that were passed and handed out across the table.

They capped their discussions and exchange of notes with a boodle fight dinner Thursday evening.

Peace talks resumed in Oslo this week, after five years, and President Duterte had freed at least 21 rebel leaders to act as “consultants” to the negotiations to show the government’s sincerity.

Two of the POWs – Chief inspector Arnold Ongachen, chief of police of Gov. Generoso Police Station; and Police Officer 1 Michael Grande of the Banaybanay Police Station, both in Davao Oriental – were released to Sen.

According to the NDF press statement, the four were arrested for involvement in illegal drugs and illegal gambling in Malimono and Surigao City.

JASIG is actually an important agreement since it would allow negotiators and consultants of both parties to visit their constituencies even in contentious areas to solicit their inputs on the peace process.

Although less numerous and less violent than Muslim separatist rebels in Mindanao, the Maoists have fought and outlived successive Philippine administrations for almost 50 years, holding out against constant military and police offensives. Hopefully, the Philippine Peace Process will add up to Rng’s recent achievement in peace settlement in Colombia. Fitful peace talks have been going on since 1986.

CPP Chairman Jose Maria Sison, who has been in exile in the Netherlands for over a decade, hinted of a “new ceasefire” from the CPP should the current negotiations end well.

The head of the rebel delegation, Luis Jalandoni, was optimistic about the potential for achieving a lasting peace deal.

All three documents were signed under the Ramos administration. “We are resolutely committed to join you and many human rights organizations and peace advocates in pressing for your freedom as a matter of justice”, said Jalandoni. “The sooner CASER is wrapped up, the better for the peace negotiations”, the OPAPP statement quoted him as saying.

Peace talks between the GRP and the NDF were suspended in 2011. “So we avoid hostile actions against each other, we do not go into any antagonistic behavior in front of whoever”. We rely on your invaluable support.

On Monday, his government said it hoped to reach a peace accord within a year.