EDITORIAL

[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]

[av_heading heading=’Substantive issues’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
Monday, January 16, 2017
[/av_textblock]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]

THE THIRD round of formal peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines is kicking off. Topping the negotiations are socio-economic reforms which are considered the meat of the peace talks. It is high time serious negotiations take place on issues of poverty, underdevelopment, inequality, economic sovereignty and other social and historical factors that form the root causes of the armed conflict. More than the ceasefire declarations, negotiations on substantive agenda, such as economic reforms, will be the real indicator of sincerity in the peace talks. 

The draft agreement on socio-economic reforms takes into account land reform, rural development, national industrialization, economic sovereignty, environmental protection, the rights of the working people, social services and pro-people fiscal reforms.

The third round of talks should also be an opportunity to address several outstanding issues that continue to undermine the peace talks. These include the release of political prisoners, compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law as well as the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees, and militarization of the countryside

The government must move to create a favorable climate for the advance of the talks. The rising body count in the war on drugs, continuing threats of martial law, violations of sovereignty and anti-poor economic impositions all undermine the peace process. 

It is imperative that the talks advance towards achieving agreements on substantive issues. Only then can we see a decisive and long-term end to the armed conflict. The people must closely monitor the third round of formal peace talks. So much is at stake in the outcome. If both parties persevere in hammering out a successful agreement, there will be tremendous benefits for the Filipino people.

 

 

[/av_textblock]

[/av_one_full]

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here