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.