Gov't peace panel eyes bilateral ceasefire after 4th round of talks

MANILA, Philippines — The government panel negotiating peace with the National Democratic Front is expecting to reach a consensus on a bilateral ceasefire to end hostilities after the fourth round of negotiations.

The fourth round of talks between the Philippine government and the NDF, the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, will be held in the Netherlands from April 2 to 6.

Labor Secretary and Peace Panel chair Silvestre Bello III said that socioeconomic reforms would be the main agenda of the upcoming talks.

Bello noted that socioeconomic reforms are the "heart and soul of the peace process intended to address root causes of armed conflict."

The secretary added that the government has no reason to declare a unilateral ceasefire as of the moment.

"Our president is more interested in obtaining a bilateral ceasefire agreement," Bello said in a televised press conference Friday.

The peace panel chair noted that President Rodrigo Duterte only has one marching order: "Get me a ceasefire agreement."

Bello added that the military is expected to continue doing their jobs in peace and security as the government has not declared a ceasefire.

Asked about the reported intensified warfare and recruitment of the New People's Army (NPA), Bello said that the communist group is only showing its strength.

"That's the reality. We are a state of armed conflict. That's the reason why we are talking to end this armed conflict," Bello said, adding that it is only part of the rebels' agenda.

"We are in a negotiation. When you negotiate, you must negotiate from a position of strength. Pinapakita nila na meron silang lakas na dapat sila kausapin kasi kung wala sila pinakita na ganoong lakas hindi na natin sila kakausapin," the peace panel chair added.

Earlier this year, Duterte lifted the government ceasefire after the NPA announced that it was ending its own ceasefire.

The NPA said that the administration failed to release some 400 political prisoners despite his promise.

Bello, however, said that the release political prisoners from the government side and hostages from the communist group were only confidence-building measures to show the sincerity of both parties during talks.

The release of prisoners can never be a condition to the conduct of the peace process, Bello said.

The government had declared an all-out war against the NPA following the lifting of the unilateral ceasefire.