WITH the resumption of the long-stalled peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF), the nation can only wait with much expectation that the more than 35 years of armed conflict between the government and the Communist partisans may soon end.
President Gloria Maca-pagal Arroyo has ordered substantive measures that are expected to provide confidence-building conditions to facilitate agreement in the peace talks. One such measure is the impending release of 24 political detainees by the end of March. In return, the President has asked the National Democratic Front to refrain from collecting permit-to-campaign fees from candidates in the May elections.
Both the government and the NDF panels are optimistic that the four-day talks sponsored by the Norwegian government will lead to the signing of the final peace agreement. The government panel is optimistic that an agreement can be forged before the May elections, given the open and positive attitude shown by the NDF negotiators. While ruling out a comprehensive agreement, the NDF side is positive that some issues can be formally settled before the elections, including social, economic, political, and constitutional reforms, and an end to hostilities and disposition of forces.
We hope that the peace talks will progress into an agreement that will pave the way for a more humane and just societal order.
