AJLPP Statement

July 9, 2009

GRP-NDFP Starts Exploratory/Preparatory Talks on Stalled Peace Talks in Oslo, Norway.

Los Angeles--- The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) greets the resumption of exploratory talks towards the resumption of peace negotiation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) this coming weeks with guarded optimism

We express elation whenever the peace process moves forward after almost five years of being stalled due to the intransigence and lack of good faith on the part of the US-Arroyo regime.

In fact, we cannot forget that in this period caused the NDFP more casualties. More than ten (10) NDF consultants were killed or declared missing and more than 20 others were detained while scores were persecuted.

The political situation in the Philippines is so bleak with the ongoing war in Mindanao, the recent spate of bombings, and political protests with Chacha.

We cannot help to think that this move is a desperate step of a dying regime hell bent to perpetuate itself in power and is following the footsteps of the despised dictator Ferdinand Marcos.The peace talks might proved to be only an icing to a rotten cake of the regime.

Thus in order to put the peace talks on the right track and correct perspective, we demand that the GRP takes the following steps as a sign of good faith and make the following steps for confidence building measures:

1. Release all political detainees at one most specially NDFP consultants Randall Echanis, Elizabeth Principe and all others who are now in government jails.

2. Implement the JASIG and other concurrent agreements pursuant to the NDF-GRP talks and it should take effect all at once;

3. Stop human rights violations and persecution in the Philippines and end all schemes for Charter Change and distorted political reforms in the Philippines.

May this negotiations not be the likes of the Oslo Accords of 1995 an ongoing disaster for the Palestinian people or a death-kneel for the Tamil Tigers of Sri-Lanka and be a success for peace and justice.

We hope, pray and trust that the GRP and NDFP peace panels together with the Royal Norwegian Government truly move toward the right directions when the confidence building measures are in place and implemented the peace negotiations will move forward and steps for achieving just and lasting peace be attained

We wish for all the success of the exploratory and preparatory talks in Oslo, Norway.



AJLPP

National Secretariat

July 9, 2009