UPHOLD THE JASIG, RESUME PEACE TALKS NOW! The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) renews its call for the resumption of the formal peace negotiations between the Government (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). We are alarmed at the intensifying armed confrontation between forces of the two parties, with far-reaching disruptive impact on the lives of the people especially those caught in the crossfire. We are also alarmed at the arrest and detention of persons known by both sides as consultants of the peace process. The killing of a father and his two sons whose bodies were found in a shallow grave in Abra, of another indigenous leader in Ifugao, and of a fair trade leader in Panay, all unarmed civilians and in a span of two weeks are truly a cause for grave alarm as are the increasing number of human rights violations. We desire not the escalation of impunity and strife in this country but the peace talks to seek a resolution to what President Aquino said are the “roots of the problem” in the same vein that peaceful resolutions are sought to settle territorial disputes between and among southeast and northeast Asian countries. We say choose the way of peace. The process and agenda have already been established since September 1, 1992 in what is now a foundational document on the peace talks, also called The Hague Agreement, and in other important agreements reached by both parties. These are outstanding documents. At the core of the current impasse in the resumption of the peace talks is the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG) or the failure to uphold its provisions. The JASIG was signed by both parties in The Netherlands on February 24, 1995 to adopt “safety and immunity guarantees to protect the rights of negotiators, consultants, staffers, security and other personnel who participate in the GRP (now GPH)-NDFP peace negotiations”. The JASIG also provides that “any disagreement or application of the interpretation and application of the provisions of this Joint Agreement shall be the subject of consultations between the two panels . . . (III.2 of the General Provisions). Both panels owe it to the people and to posterity to return to the negotiating table with renewed resolve to remain focused on the issue of just and lasting peace. Let there be no discordant voices among and within the parties involved in the peace process. “Seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3.11). This Lenten season highlights the suffering of Jesus Christ that all may be redeemed from sin and death. In the name of peace he suffered, died and rose again for us because he is our peace (Eph 3.14). “May the God of peace himself sanctify (us) wholly” (1Thes 5.23). THE MOST REVEREND EPHRAIM S. FAJUTAGANA Obispo Maximo XII Iglesia Filipina Independiente Chairperson, NCCP REV. REX RB REYES, JR. General Secretary NCCP
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 11:45:41 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015