Cebu Ecumenical Solidarity for Peace

We from the Cebu Ecumenical Solidarity for Peace strongly urge the resumption of the peace talks between the GRP (Goverment of the Republic of the Philippines) and the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines). Substantial achievements have already been realized as a result of the resumption of the peace talks last year. Most noteworthy of these are the re-activation of the JASIG (Joint Agreement for Safety and Immunity Guarantees), the recognition of previous agreements, the release of NDFP consultants, reciprocal ceasefires, the different joint agreements, and the recent supplemental guide for the CARHRIHL(Comprehensive Agreement for the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law). Both parties have all the more reasons to continue the talks by ironing out minor differences and glitches. They have to be reminded that above the interests of both parties are the interests of the Filipino people longing for genuine socio-economic reforms and a peace based on social justice.

We call on both parties to immediately return to the negotiating tables as the next item for their dialogue is the meat of the matter. We believe that the armed rebellion waged  by the CPP-NPA-NDF is a result of the many unaswered pleas mostly of the marginalized and the poor. They have been persistently demanding for genuine land reform, development of national industries, enough state subsidy for agriculture and social services, just wages and non-contractual jobs, accessible quality education and health services, the care for the environment against destructive and extractive industries, and the upliftment of the living conditions of Filipinos, in general. We believe that the CASER (Comprehensive Agreement for Socio-economic Reforms), the second item of the substantive agenda, will spell the end to the social illnesses that push a number of Filipinos to take up arms.

To amplify our call for the immediate resumption of the talks, we will be intensifying the drive for more localized peace forums in the parishes, convents, districts, seminaries, schools, religious communities and other localities for the propagation of the call to resume the peace talks. We will likewise initiate a Central Visayas Peace Summit this April, and invite both parties to join in this event and face the yearnings of Cebuanos eager for a just and lasting peace.

As Christ shared to us the gift of peace, we should all be pursuers of the same peace. We shall never grow weary in working for a just and lasting peace in our country.

Arbishop Jose S. Palma, D.D

Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cebu

Bishop Jezer E. Bertoldo

West Visayas Jurisdictional Area

United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)

Bishop Alger D. Loyao Sr.

Diocese of Cebu Inglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI)