CPP’s call for rectification does not run counter to objectives of GRP-NDFP peace negotiations
- Published: 16 January 2024 16 January 2024
Volume VI, No. 01 - January 15, 2024
Last December, National Security Council assistant director Jonathan Malaya questioned the (Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front) CPP-NPA-NDF’s motives for engaging in peace talks with (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) GRP saying he was “very perplexed and disappointed” of the CPP’s recent statement reiterating the call for a Party-wide rectification movement.
It is worth noting that the CPP’s statement reiterated a process that began as early as 2016 after the 2nd Party congress. The aim of the rectification movement is to further strengthen the Party by “raising the theoretical knowledge and revolutionary practice of Party cadres” and to overcome “weaknesses and shortcomings in the ideological, political and organizational fields.”
Contrary to the NSC’s insinuation, the Party’s call for rectification does not run counter to the objectives of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. The peace negotiations serve as a venue to pursue systemic and deep socio-economic reforms – an endeavor that is fully aligned with addressing poverty and landlessness which are at the root of armed conflict.
In fact, the CPP fully supports the possible resumption of formal peace talks and, in their statement, even called to strengthen the NDFP’s representation in peace negotiations to pursue just and lasting peace. The CPP referred to the NDFP’s authority to represent the people’s democratic government as the most consolidated underground united front organization united under the leadership of the Party.
The NSC’s questioning of the NDFP’s sincerity in the peace talks exposes their own militarist framework that aims to force the revolutionary movement to surrender instead of genuinely discussing and pursuing solutions to achieve just and lasting peace. The NDFP has restated multiple times that the aim of peace negotiations must be to address the demands of the toiling Filipino masses.
The CPP and the NDFP considers the peace negotiations as an additional battleground, albeit unarmed, to advance the people’s democratic demands. The NDFP rejects any notion that misrepresents the peace negotiations as a ‘negotiation for surrender.’ The NDFP reiterates its commitment and full intent to engage in peace talks with the GRP with the aim of asserting genuine land reform, national industrialization, social justice, and true democracy.
Peace talks must focus on addressing the real roots of civil war
- Published: 25 December 2023 25 December 2023
Volume 5, No. 24 - December 31, 2023
Gibo Teodoro’s head-scratching insinuation that the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) was willing to surrender is simply untrue. To say that this is the basis for the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) agreeing to explore the resumption of peace negotiations is also incorrect.
Read more: Peace talks must focus on addressing the real roots of civil war
The NDFP stresses need to address root causes of armed conflict
- Published: 11 December 2023 11 December 2023
Volume V, No. 23 - December 15, 2023
After six long years since the Duterte administration unilaterally terminated the peace negotiations in 2017, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) agreed to enter anew a process of resuming formal peace talks with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP). The NDFP enters the talks with a clear intention of building on past achievements of the negotiations including honoring and respecting previous bilateral agreements.
Read more: The NDFP stresses need to address root causes of armed conflict
Marcos Jr.'s amnesty program smacks of bad faith
- Published: 27 November 2023 27 November 2023
Volume V, No. 22 - November 30, 2023
Last 24 November, Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation 404 supposedly to grant amnesty to armed groups including the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front). According to his stooges in Malacañang, the said amnesty program is purportedly meant to “attain lasting peace through comprehensive peace initiatives.” Marcos Jr’s amnesty program however smacks of bad faith. Instead of creating an environment conducive for peace, it reeks of deception intended to force the revolutionary movement to surrender.
Intense in-fighting in Marcos-Duterte ruling coalition out in the open
- Published: 13 November 2023 13 November 2023
Volume V, No. 21 - November 15, 2023
Triggered by the severe conflict over the bureaucratic loot in the controversial “confidential funds” of the Office of Vice President (OVP) Sara Duterte (daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte), the feud between the Marcos Jr. and Duterte factions in the ruling coalition intensifies.
Read more: Intense in-fighting in Marcos-Duterte ruling coalition out in the open