EU lauds government, Reds interim truce

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union (EU) lauded the agreement on an interim joint ceasefire struck by negotiators of the Philippine government and communist, saying such a deal would pave the way for an agreement that would address the decades-long armed rebellion.

The EU, in a statement from Brussels, said that the agreement sealed Wednesday night was “an encouraging step” that could lead to a comprehensive ceasefire agreement between the two sides and a deal on social and economic reforms the communists had been pushing.

“It is an encouraging step towards generating goodwill and trust in the peace negotiations, to encourage the forging of a more stable and comprehensive Joint Ceasefire Agreement and to provide an enabling environment for an early signing of a comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms,” the bloc said.

On Wednesday, the representatives of the Philippine government and the communist group signed an agreement on an interim ceasefire that could provide a comprehensive settlement of the 48-year Maoist insurgency in the Philippines.

The terms of the agreement will take effect as soon as the ground rules have been approved. The interim ceasefire will govern issues such as the presence of armed groups in local communities, the creation of buffer zones, prohibition of hostile attacks and operations, cessation of the collection of so-called revolutionary taxes and the conduct of socioeconomic projects.

The negotiators from both sides also announced that they were already working on the provisions of a draft of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER).

However, sticking points still remain for both sides.

President Rodrigo Duterte, already wary of a communist side that has launched attacks on military personnel and government and private installations for resisting extortion activities while talking peace with the government, hoisted four preconditions that should be met before peace talks could proceed.

These conditions are a signed official ceasefire document, the release of rebel-held prisoners, stoppage of the collection of so-called revolutionary taxes and to let go claims to some territories.

Negotiators admitted that the last two of Duterte’s conditions, the halt in the collection of so-called revolutionary taxes and the giving up of claims to territories, would prove hard to meet.

Just like its commander in chief, the military also seems to be careful in dealing with the rebels.

In a statement released Thursday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) rejected the demand of rebels that military and police operations in some select areas be halted to facilitate the release of prisoners they are holding.

Although it expressed elation over the agreement, the military said that their targeted operations would continue pending the declaration of a ceasefire.

“We are pleased to learn that the document which shall pave the way to the ceasefire has been signed. Meantime that there is no ceasefire declaration yet, there will be no corresponding suspension of military operations for the moment,” Edgard Arevalo, the Philippine Army spokesman, said in a statement.

For the EU, however, sticking to political processes, despite their difficulties, to resolve conflicts is still the way to go.

“This Interim Agreement demonstrates the power of political processes to resolve conflict,” the EU said, adding that if asked it would be ready to support the implementation of the agreement.