Forum on Peace and Security: Pursuing EDSA’s Path of Peace

3 March 2011; ISO Conference Center, SDC

Ateneo de Manila University

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON THE PEACE PROCESSGovernment of the Philippines Panel for Peace Negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF

By Alexander A. PadillaGPH Panel Chair

• Talks have spanned 24 years covering four presidencies

• Over 40 rounds of talks conducted• More than 13 interruptions caused by

contentious/prejudicial issues• More than 10 Agreements/Joint Statements signed

by the parties• RNG-Facilitated since 2001• Talks held in the Netherlands and in Oslo (Except

for the 1995 first round of formal talks held in Brussels )

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of

conflicts, inclusive of the interests of all – may they be Lumad, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shall defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitable governance leading to a better life. Sa

tamang pamamahala, gaganda ang buhay ng lahat, at sa buhay na maganda, sino pa ang gugustuhin bumalik sa panahon ng pang-

aapi.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?Policy Thrusts

Resumption of TalksLet us go back to the table and begin talking again:• Concrete proposals rather than just complaints and accusations• Government ready for an immediate ceasefire: Mahirap

magsimula ang usapan habang mayroon pang among ng pulbura sa hangin.

Let us not waste a good opportunity to rally behind one goal for peace.

State of the Nation Address 26 July 2010

To lead government efforts to bring all armed conflict to a permanent and just closure through peaceful means:

Negotiated political settlement of all armed conflict

Complementary tracks, involving other government agencies, to address the roots of armed conflict and other issues which affect the peace process.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?Policy Thrusts

No. 1: RECONSTITUTION OF NEW PANEL , 21 October 2010

OATH TAKING, 22 November 2010

Chair: Alexander Padilla

Members: Jurgette Honculada

Ma Lourdes Tison

Pablito Sanidad Sr.

Ednar Dayanghirang

No. 2: CHAIR-TO-CHAIR INFORMAL MEETINGS

01-03 December 2010, Hongkong

1. Unilateral declaration of ceasefire from 16 Dec 2010 –

03 Jan 2011

2. Conduct of Preliminary Talks in Oslo in mid -January 2011, to pave the way for,

3. Resumption of Formal Talks in Oslo in mid February 2011

No. 3: PRELIMINARY TALKS Panel to Panel Talks Jan 2011, Oslo, Norway

Objectives

“Agenda-Setting” for the formal talks

“Getting to Know”

1. Resume formal talks on 15-21 February 2011 in Oslo

2. Recommend ceasefire for implementation during the forthcoming formal talks;

3. Accelerate the talks to complete, on best effort basis, the remaining substantive agenda on socio-economic reforms (SER); political and constitutional reforms (PCR); and end of hostilities and disposition of forces (EOH/DOF), in the next 18 months. OR a maximum of three years.

• AGREEMENTS REACHED DURING THE PRELIMINARY TALKS 14-18 Jan 2011 Oslo, Norway

4. Create Working Groups on PCR to eventually lead to the creation of the RWCs on PCR;

5. A Side-Committee on JASIG was formed to address the cases of NDF listed Consultants and

personalities, and matters on alleged political offenders (to de-clog the table of non-substantive issues)

• No. 3 GREEMENTS- PRELIMINARY TALKS 14-18 Jan 2011 Oslo, Norway

6. GPH committed to work for the participation of three NDF JASIG protected persons: Echanis, Baylosis and Ladlad (they are not detained), in the February 2011 round of formal talks. NDF has to make them surface so GPH can assist them in their application of travel documents.

On the 14 NDF listed consultants and personalities, GPH

will work for their release, subject to verification mechanism provided in the JASIG supplemental agreement, and on best effort basis. NO GPH COMMITMENT TO RELEASE THEM BEFORE THE FEBRUARY FORMAL TALKS.

• No. 3 AGREEMENTS- PRELIMINARY TALKS 14-18 Jan 2011 Oslo, Norway

• Six-day Negotiations• Panel Plenary Discussions and Simultaneous Meetings of the Negotiating Committees (JMC; RWCs-SER; and WGs-PCR)• Output: Signing of the Oslo Joint Statement

1. Reaffirmation of Previous Agreements

The Parties reaffirmed The Hague Joint Declaration of 1 September 1992 and all bilateral agreements entered into by the GRP, now GPH, and NDFP up to the Second Oslo Joint Statement of 3 April 2004.

GPH submitted a separate affirmation with qualifications citing areas of differences and non-negotiable position on sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic. Asserting that “the Government of the Philippines is the only lawful sovereign and taxing authority in the country”. NDF submitted its rebuttal.

2. Timeframe for the Peace Negotiations

General timeframe of 18 months for completing by the Reciprocal Working Committees (RWCs) and signing by the Panels of the draft comprehensive agreements on the remaining items of the agenda:

September 2011 - the draft Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER);

February 2012 - the draft Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms (CAPCR);

June 2012- draft Comprehensive Agreement on End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces (CAEHDF)

3. Reciprocal Working Committees on Social and Economic Reforms (RWCs-SER)

Agreed to have three (3) bilateral meetings this year: June (2nd wk) and August (2nd wk/4th wk), respectively. Submit drafts on substantive issues and complete tentative comprehensive agreement on social and economic reforms to the Negotiating Panels in Sept 2011.

GPH RWC shall soon be undertaking consultations with stakeholders on the desired socio-economic reforms.

4. Working Groups on Political and Constitutional Reforms (WGs-PCR)

The Panels agreed to form their respective WGs on PCR to pave the way for the eventual formation of the RWCs-PCR. The WGs-PCR shall hold their initial session in April 2011 and every two months thereafter. The RWCs-PCR would be convened by October 2011

Working Groups to be composed of a head and two members appointed by the Panels, and to respectively nominate two independent cooperators.

Working Groups and RWCs to avail of a Committee of Sages or resource persons, with 3 to 5 members nominated by each side.

5. Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC)

The JMC for the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law or CARHRIHL reconvened and discussed the Supplemental Guidelines for the operation of the JMC with the view to submit a common draft for consideration of the respective Panels at a proximate future date. The JMC will meet again in March 2011 to schedule succeeding meetings.

6. Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs)

The GPH shall continue to work on appropriate measures to effect the expeditious release of NDFP listed JASIG consultants and personalities, subject to verification as provided in the JASIG Supplemental Agreement.

Each Party declared a unilateral ceasefire during the formal peace negotiations from 5-21 February 2011.

7. Expression of Satisfaction and Gratitude

The Panels expressed satisfaction over the achievements

of the first round of formal talks and determination to make progress in forging agreements on the remaining items of the substantive agenda.

Both Panels likewise expressed their appreciation and Gratitude to the Royal Norwegian Government for its

able facilitation, hospitality and continuing support to the peace negotiations.

Lowering the level of violence on the ground during the conduct of the peace negotiations

Reaching a Final Negotiated Political Settlement

(FNPS) through accelerated talks on the remaining three substantive agenda (SER, PCR and EOH/DOF) in the next 18 months, on a best effort basis, and implementing the FNPS during the Aquino Administration.

Expanding and sustaining the support of our peace stakeholders

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“ We must revive the peace process on the basis of a comprehensive understanding of the root causes of the conflict, under clear policies that pave the way ahead, and driven by a genuine desire to attain a just and lasting peace”.

Pres. Noynoy Aquino

FOCAP Forum 2 April 2010