MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos government is “optimistic” that a peace agreement will be reached between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
The conflict with the group dates back to the era of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the then-president and father of the current leader, who called for reforms in the national government.
Now, with his son at the helm, President Marcos is determined to bring an end to the world’s longest-running communist insurgency by the end of his term.
“Very, very optimistic. Yes, within the term of the President – or even before the term ends,” Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (PAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said at a Palace briefing Monday.
Galvez made these remarks when asked how hopeful the government is about concluding peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF during President Marcos’s term.
In November, Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., representing the government, and Luis Jalandoni of the NDFP signed a joint communique.
They agreed to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict, emphasizing the need for national unity to address various challenges.
Both parties are working on a peace framework to tackle the root causes of the over 50-year-old communist insurgency.
The government and the NDFP, the political arm of the CPP and NPA, agreed to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict, acknowledging the need for national unity to face socioeconomic, environmental, and security challenges.
Both sides committed to discussions aimed at creating a peace framework that addresses the root causes of the conflict, with the goal of ending the over 50-year-old communist insurgency.
Witnesses to the signing included Galvez and retired General Emmanuel Bautista for the GRP, and Julieta de Lima, Interim Chairperson of the NDFP negotiating panel, along with Coni K. Ledesma from the NDFP.
Special Representative Kristina Lie Revheim signed on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG), with Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide attending the ceremony.
Galvez said that exploratory talks between the two parties are ongoing. He explained that both sides will create a framework before finalizing a peace agreement.
“The President is very committed to finish all agreements and implement it during his term. So, ‘yun po ang pinaka guidance niya po sa amin and we are more than happy and being inspired na we commit to the aspiration of the President and the national government that we will finish the final peace agreement with the CPPA-NPA in the future,” Galvez said.
