NDFP calls for renewed talks in wake of Amnesty International report

NDFP calls for renewed talks in wake of Amnesty International report

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) renewed calls for the resumption of peace negotiations, saying the government's "all-out war" against them will only "further escalate human rights violations and…further economic ruin."

The call, issued by National Democratic Front (NDF) negotiating panel Chairman Luis Jalandoni came following the release of an Amnesty International (AI) report which faulted the Arroyo administration's "failure to protect individuals" for the continued killings of mostly leftist activists in the country.

The NDFP based in The Netherlands, welcomed the AI report, saying it echoed the "findings from several other international fact-finding missions on the Philippines confirming that the US-Arroyo regime is culpable for the ever-mounting number of murders and more than 180 'desaparecidos [disappearances]' in the country."

Among the latest findings were those from the Uniting Church in Australia, which blamed the government for the deaths of several Protestant pastors and activists.

"More than ever, the NDF reiterates its call for the resumption of peace negotiations directed at addressing the social roots of the armed conflict and demands that the [government] stop the political killing and abductions of legal activists and civilians," Jalandoni said.

Noting the AI's recommendations, particularly on the compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, a 1998 agreement binding on both the government and the rebels, Jalandoni reiterated earlier rebel proposals for a joint investigation with government of human rights violations, with the Norwegian government -- the third party facilitator of the peace talks -- and the International Committee of the Red Cross as observers.

The Philippine government rejected the NDFP calls for joint investigations and opted to form its own investigation board. The Philippine government unilaterally terminated the peace negotiations since 2004. After the February 2006, declaration of the " state of emergency", the Arroyo regime even included NDFP consultants like Jalandoni in their arrest and wanted list and have arrested or killed some of the NDF peace panel consulants like Sotero Llamas of Bicol.

The NDF JASIG Monitoring Center in Manila has been under surveillance and being harassed by the military agents. Prudencio Calubod, Roger Calubad and other peace consultants were arrested and are still missing. The NPA reported that they are presumed dead or were killed by the AFP.

Jalandoni also hinted of pessimism over their proposal's fate, accusing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of choosing to "thumb her nose at the widespread clamor for justice and instead continues her tacit endorsement for the bloody carnage."

The NDFP is the alliance of progressive national democratic underground organizations that has been waging a people's war since 1969. The NDFP was formed in 1971 and led the resistance against martial law and subsequent regimes supported by the US government.

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