MANINDIGAN sa Peace Talk
Press Release
February 15, 2011
A civil society movement of peace advocates, non-government organizations and people’s organizations called as “Manindigan para sa Peace Talks” pressed for sincerity and transparency upon the resumption of formal talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
“We believe that peace is our right and peace building is responsibility of all. The resumption of the peace talks between the government and the NDFP offers an opportunity to come to terms with the country’s best interests and work for peace that had eluded us for so long,” said Sr. Arnold Maria Noel, SSps of the Manindigan para sa Peace Talks.
Both the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the government agreed to hold formal talks on February 15-21, 2011 in Oslo, Norway under the auspices of the Royal Norwegian Government which has been acting as Third Party Facilitator since 2001.
“The sincerity of both parties is vital for peace talks to succeed. But it remains to be seen if this would occupy a large spot on the part of the government and the NDFP. Both the government and the NDFP should go beyond noble-sounding words before the public by mustering enough political will and sincerity in order for the peace process to gain ground,” Sr. Noel said.
Sr. Noel also said transparency should be of utmost importance in the resumption of the peace talks since past negotiations suffered temporary setback because peace talks were done without listening to peoples voices and involving the key stakeholders in particular the communities.
