Bulatlat correspondent Raymund Villanueva will provide live updates of the start today of the formal peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway, between the Aquino government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. The negotiations will end on Feb. 21.
Click here to read the live updates on Day 2 of the talks.
To read Bulatlat.com’s recent and past stories on the peace negotiations, click here.
The timestamp on the entries are Manila time, unless otherwise indicated.
Day one of the formal peace talks 2011 ended with a dinner hosted by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for all participants.
Yesterday’s afternoon session tackled the reaffirmation of past agreements between the GPH and the NDFP. These agreements include the The Hague Joint Declaration, JASIG, CARRHIHL, among others.
The peace talks breaks for lunch. Executive sessions start in the afternoon. Media is no longer allowed inside the conference room.
The Royal Norwegian Government has been approached and asked by the GRP (GPH) and the NDFP in 2001. This is its 10th year as Third Party Facilitator to the peace negotiations.
RNG is brokering the talks “because it can.” It emphasized that the conflict and the negotiations are strictly internal between the GPH and the NDFP.–Amb. Ture Lundh.
“There seems to be a rapport between the GPH and NDFP panels at this time. We hope they would approve of substantial agreements within a reasonable amount of time.” Ambassador Ture Lundh of the Royal Norwegian Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs
GPH panel chair Alex Padilla and NDFP panel chair Luis Jalandoni answer questions from local and international media.
Formal opening ceremonies are over. Photo session ongoing. GPH staff ask to have their pictures taken with NDFP chief political consultant Prof. Jose Maria Sison.
The NDFP offered to the GPH…a concise agreement as a basis for further talks for alliance and truth. This is a challenge to the Aquino government…to work for a just peace for our people.–NDFP
The release of the political prisoners is a benign act of magnanimity.–NDFP
We expect the release 350 political prisoners, with the operationalization of the CARHIHL, will be undertaken. They deserve to be released, just like the 400 military rebels, because they fought the abuses of the Arroyo regime.–Jalandoni
Prof Jose Maria Sison (for the NDFP) and Atty Alex Padilla (for the GPH) will head the discussions for socio-economic reforms-the second substantive agenda.–Jalandoni
Improve people’s livelihood and trade relations to benefit the people–NDFP
Presence of Rafael Baylosis and Randall Echanis are proof of the efficacy of the JASIG…The expeditious release of all consultants and political prisoners, including just recently, Allan Jazmines, must be accomplished.–NDFP
Imperative that both panels do away with the violations and filth of the previous Manila regime.–NDFP
NDFP blames the Arroyo regime for “scuttling” the peace negotiations through various and many means of sabotage and human rights violations.–NDFP’s Jalandoni.
The peace talks must be guided by mutually-acceptable principles and must come out with agreements that address the root causes of armed conflict.–NDFP’s Jalandoni
“We thank the Norwegian government for its determined and painstaking hosting of the peace talks.” –NDFP panel chair Luis Jalandoni
As Peace Talks Resume, Another NDFP Consultant Nabbed
Luis Jalandoni, chairman of the NDFP peace panel, said the arrest of Alan Jasminez is an attempt by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to disrupt the peace negotiations which are just about to be resumed on February 15 to 21, in Oslo, Norway.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
On Eve of Peace Talks, Groups Push for Release of All Political Prisoners
Fr. Dionito Cabillas, Selda secretary general, said the Philippine government should work for the immediate release of the political prisoners as a sign of goodwill in the continuation of the peace talks and for humanitarian reasons.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“What we do here in Oslo is a matter of life and death.”–Deles
“Both sides are guilty of military reductionism.”–Deles
“Let it not be said that peace talks fail because of the failure of nerve, failure of imagination.”–Deles
What Has Been Achieved in 25 Years of Peace Negotiations?
It would seem to many Filipinos that the peace negotiations between the government and the Communists have achieved nothing significant. Truth is, both panels have signed several important documents that should move the process forward. Would the Aquino administration genuinely commit to these earlier agreements?
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“We have no illusions that signing a peace agreement will solve all social problems.”–Deles
Deles’ remarks praises victory of Noynoy Aquino in the last presidential elections as well as the human, indigenous and environmental rights advocacies of GPH panel members.
OPAPP secretary Ging Deles delivers opening remarks for GPH. She “comes to Oslo with a heady mix of dread and anticipation–not unlike a woman about to give birth.”
Panel chairs introduce respective members of their negotiating panels.
NDFP Negotiating Panel chair Luis Jalondoni and GPH Negotiating Panel chair Alex Padilla exchange credentials.
“I wish you all the luck in the coming week, as well as on the long road to peace.”–Secretary Beide
“One of the most dangerous aspects of today’s societies is lack of dialogue, not its presence. The alternative to dialogue is monologue. Engaging in dialogue signifies confidence in your own values and principles.”–Secretary of State Beide, RNG.
“Norwegian government is proud of this positive moment…as humble facilitator of the talks. You deserve all the support you need. We hope you continue to build trust and move on to addressing the root causes of the armed conflict in your country.”–Norwegian State Secretary Espen Barth Eide
Getting to the Roots of the Armed Conflict
To “address the roots of the armed conflict” means primarily to look into and arrive at a common understanding of the root causes of the Filipino people’s endemic poverty and the nation’s underdevelopment, then agree on the necessary measures to resolve them.
By SATUR C. OCAMPO
First formal talks between GPH and NDFP in six years begins. Ambassador Ture Lundh of the Royal Norwegian Government welcomes all participants and congratulates both panels for “willingness face ach other and talk.”
Next Agenda in GPH-NDFP Talks Can Make or Break Peace Process
Forging the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms is said to be the “meat” of the negotiations as it aims to resolve the root causes of poverty and lack of development in the Philippines.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Ten minutes before the opening ceremonies, GPH and NDFP peace talks panelists, as well as consultants and staff, are already gathered inside the conference room of the Holmen Fjordhotell in Oslo, Norway.
Resolving Hindrances, Going Farther Toward Peace
Serious implementation of CARHRIHL can best test the sincerity of the GRP and the NDFP in complying not only with its provisions but with all other agreements still to be arrived at. Mutual compliance will significantly improve the climate for continuing the peace talks.
By SATUR C. OCAMPO
Welcome Breakthrough
The important thing is that both parties have publicly announced their commitment to work double time in undertaking this important endeavor, made more urgent and pressing by the continuing global and domestic economic crunch.
By CAROL PAGADUAN-ARAULLO
Thirty minutes before the scheduled start of the opening ceremonies, consultants and staff of the GPH and NDFP negotiating panels are starting to arrive at the conference room. Norwegian and international journalists have also arrived.
It’s eight forty in the morning here in Oslo, Norway. It is snowing outside and Oslo fjord is frozen. Both GPH and NDFP negotiating panels are having breakfast. The venue of the resumption of the formal peace talks is Holmen Fjordhotell, also the venue of the informal talks between both parties last month.
Reporter’s Notebook: Covering the Peace Talks in Oslo
If the atmosphere that night was any indication, the talks were off to a good start. Everyone seemed determined to have a good time and did not mind letting their hair down.
By MACEL INGLES
Philippines Eyes Peace Pact with Reds in 3 Years as Talks Resume
In a major breakthrough, Manila and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines agreed to resume the formal negotiations in February and a possible ceasefire the same month. The government panel also agreed to release several political prisoners, even as it acknowledges that the NDFP, contrary to what the US government and the Philippine military have been saying, “is not a terrorist organization.”
By MACEL INGLES in Oslo and RONALYN V. OLEA in Manila
In Oslo, a Chance for Peace Despite the Odds
“The challenges are great, but the possibilities for a peace agreement under the new presidency of Benigno Aquino are there,” Ambassador Ture Lundh of Norway’s foreign ministary said. “At the end of the day, however, it is the parties to the conflict that must prove decisiveness, boldness and political will to move forward, to achieve a just and lasting peace.”
By MACEL INGLES
‘Ka Bart’ Is Member of NDF Peace Panel, CPP Reiterates
The CPP said the continued detention of Alcantara and other NDFP peace consultants and their staff constitutes a blatant violation of the Jasig. “Every minute that NDFP consultants are detained by the GRP in violation of the Jasig puts into question the compliance of the GRP with past agreements and imperils the future of the peace talks,” added the CPP.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Looking Forward: The GRP-NDFP Peace Talks
On the part of the Aquino government, a clear manifestation of openness and resolve to discuss basic social and economic reforms that would address the underlying reasons for the poverty, oppression and injustice that drive people to protest and rebel, would be a gesture peace advocates everywhere would welcome and applaud.
By CAROL PAGADUAN-ARAULLO
The Opening Ceremonies of the latest round of peace talks between the GPH (Government of the Philippines) and the (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) to start in approximately eight hours.
It’s minus eleven degrees Celcius in Oslo, Norway, venue of the GPH-NDFP peace talks. Light snow outside.
Bulatlat arrives in Oslo, Norway for the coverage of the resumption of formal peace talks between the GPH and the NDFP. It’s 1:30 am, February 15.
Raymund Villanueva of Kodao Productions will liveblog the event from Oslo, Norway.
Hello! Welcome to Bulatlat.com’s live coverage of the resumption of formal negotiations between the government and the NDF in Oslo.
Bulatlat Live Event: GPH-NDFP Peace Talks in Oslo (Last Day)
Bulatlat Live Event: GPH-NDF Peace Talks in Oslo (Day 2)
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February 15th, 2011 at 8:03 am
@bulatlat @TeamAFP I pray that the peace process leads to & ends up w/a lasting agreement good for Pinoys. PEACE PAZ PAX PAIX KAPAYAPAAN!
February 21st, 2011 at 7:26 pm
[...] Bulatlat Live Event: GPH-NDF Peace Talks in Oslo (Day 2)Bulatlat Live Event: GPH-NDF Peace Talks in Oslo (Day 1) [...]
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:28 am
wish that the grp representatives are sincere..and hope that this peace talks will be successful…