MANILA – A final peace agreement with the National Democratic Front (NDF), the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), can be reached within the term of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
According to Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., exploratory talks are still ongoing between the two camps following the signing of a joint communique in Oslo, Norway last November 2023.
“Ang masasabi lang namin ngayon, in order not to compromise ‘yung ongoing (talks), the President is very committed to finish all agreements and implement it during his time,” Galvez said.
Galvez said they are “very optimistic” that the government could sign a peace accord with the communist group during Marcos’ term or “even before the term ends.”
The government and the NDF-CPP both agreed to resolve the decades-old armed conflict and return to the negotiation table last year.
Previous administrations had tried but failed to forge a peace deal with the communist rebels, who have been fighting with the government through its armed wing, the NPA, since 1968.
According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, there are now only seven weakened guerrilla fronts in the country as of June 2024, from 89 active NPA guerilla fronts in 2018./PN
