Lasting peace can be Aquino's legacy to the Filipino people

(A Statement of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum on the Peace Process)

It is not too late for the government of the Republic of the Philippines under the incumbency of President Benigno S. Aquino III to forge an agreement with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. Lasting peace can be his legacy to the Filipino people. He still has more than 10  months to do that.

No less than the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honorable Feliciano Belmonte Jr., believes that "peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines - National Democratic Front can still be done within the remaining term of office of President Benigno Aquino III." (Philippine News Agency, July 20, 2015).

Belmonte went to the Netherlands as part of the Philippine delegation to the hearing of the United Nations International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (Itlos) when it heard the case filed by the Philippine government against China on the West Philippine Sea dispute. He took the opportunity to meet with the communist delegation of 10 people to discuss the issue of peace talks. With Belmonte were House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Representative Neptali Gonzales II, Appropriations Committee chair and Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab, and Accounts Committee chair and Romblon Representative Eleandro Jesus Madriona.

The House Speaker was quoted as saying that "the atmosphere is such that it (peace negotiations) can still be done during the term of the president… He has other assistants. I do hope the festering problem will be solved and it can be solved during the last year in office."

The favorable atmosphere includes the openness of the new Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Hernando Iriberi to the resumption of the peace talks. "The AFP welcomes the government 's openness for the revival of the peace talks with the CPP-NPA," he said (The Phil Star, p. 9, July 20, 2015).

We hope and pray that this declaration is not simply a motherhood statement from one who is newly appointed to a key office because he is expected to say something positive for the people to court their confidence and support. The good general knows too well the need "for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and long term peace in our country" as he has stated.

Another positive note for peace was the position of the CPP founder Jose Maria Sison declaring full support to the Philippine government's move to bring its problem with China over the West Philippine Sea to the UN ITLoS. He signed the statement of Filipinos in the

Netherlands which said: "We, Filipinos and friends of the Filipino people in the Netherlands, stand together in upholding the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of our Motherland, and in defending the Filipino people's sovereign rights over their exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea, now being illegally claimed and encroached upon by China."

On China's position for a bilateral talk between the two nations, Sison asked: "How can the Philippines negotiate with China, which always declares 'ab initio' (from the beginning) that it has indisputable sovereignty over 90 percent of the entire South China Sea and that in effect the Philippines has no rights over EEZ and ECS (extended continental shelf)?" Sison is one with the Philippine government in this stand, and Malacañang spokespersons appreciate this.

We see one problem, however. In spite of the feelers sent by top NDFP leaders on their willingness to resume the stalled peace talks soon, there is no feedback until now from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). It appears that Secretary Teresita "Ging" Deles is not keen on reopening the talks. Is she heading the Office of the Presidential Adviser Against the Peace Process?

Speaker Belmonte himself expressed surprise at the absence of reaction from OPAPP to the NDFP's overtures. General Hernando Iriberri may also get disappointed because his plan is to work "hand in hand with agencies of government tasked to lead the talks." If the primary agency which is OPAPP does not lead, what can the Filipino people expect?

President Aquino, we suggest, should seriously consider placing into OPAPP people who will give him the proper advice (as Speaker Belmonte emphasized, the president "has other assistants.") to be able to leave a legacy of genuine and lasting peace to our beloved country and people. When this happens, God's dream for the people may come to pass: "My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting place" (Isaiah 32:18).

Issued and signed this 22 day of July, 2015.

BISHOP ELMER M. BOLOCON, UCCP

Executive Secretary