Manila: For the negotiations between the government and the communist insurgents to succeed, both sides should be mindful that they are carrying the hopes for peace of the entire Filipino people on their shoulders, a negotiator said.
As the administration of President Benigno Aquino III prepares to advance the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front (NDF) to another level with discussions on the draft Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms, peace panel member Ednar Dayanghirang stressed that the Filipinos should recognise that the parleys do not just involve the government and the rebels, but that it is the entire nation who has an actual stake in the peace process.
Reforms
"It is the Filipino people who should own the peace process. They have the power to make the peace talks stronger by putting pressure on both the government and the NDF to continue resolving the problems that drive conflicts," the peace panel member, who represents the government in the talks, stated in a recent radio interview aired over DZRB Radyo ng Bayan (People's Radio."
He noted that the peace talks are not just for resolving government's problem with the NDF. "This is for the Filipino people. The reforms we're working on will address the root causes of social problems confronting the nation today. It's about time that we work together to push forward the peace process. After all, that's the purpose of peace talks — to bridge the gap and be able to move forward as one nation."
Dayanghirang pointed out the need for Filipinos to get involved. "Their vigilance over this issue will make sure that these talks are not just for show. It should not be all dribble, the goal here is to shoot the ball."
Likewise, he underscored the powerful role of the media in the process. Communication with the public needs to be intensified so they will know the issues and thus actively participate.
End of hostilities
Dayanghirang said that in comparison to past attempts, there is a sincere and firm resolve by the current administration to forge a negotiated peace settlement with the NDF and its members, the New Peoples' Army and the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Dayanghirang said that the government and the NDFP panels seek to reach agreement on three remaining agenda items within 18 months to three years. These three remaining agenda are socio-economic reforms, political-constitutional reforms, and end of hostilities and disposition of forces.
Four decades of conflict between the government and the communist insurgents have left more than a hundred thousand civilians and combatants killed or missing.
