Peace Update: Gibo: Gov't must be conduit for peace - The Philippine Star » News » Headlines

Gibo: Gov't must be conduit for peace - The Philippine Star » News » Headlines: "“People have often asked, what is the solution to the Mindanao problem? And answer straightforwardly, I don’t know. Why? Because the solution ultimately has to come from the people of Mindanao who have to live there daily, who have to make a go at making their communities more peaceful, and more prosperous,” Teodoro said.

According to the former defense chief, the government should lead a peaceful dialogue to attain the peace process, ensure infrastructure development and assistance in rehabilitating the communities in Mindanao and prevent armed conflict and violence.

He said the MILF and the government appear to be negotiating quite successfully because there is an absence of conflict at the moment although there is the breakaway group of Ameril Umbra Kato, who is now creating trouble and hampering the peace process.

Teodoro believes that the root cause of the Mindanao problem mostly involved land disputes."

'via Blog this'

Peace Update: Gov't, NDF talks to resume soon - The Philippine Star » News » Headlines

Gov't, NDF talks to resume soon - The Philippine Star » News » Headlines: "Padilla said he would resign as government peace panel chairman if he fails to fulfill his three- year target to finish the talks with the NDF-CPP-NPA.

“I’m still hoping that I could still meet that target. Maybe, by June 2012, we would be able to finish the talks and have an agreement for a lasting peace in the country,” Padilla said.

Padilla said the main stumbling block to the peace negotiations between the government and the NDF-CPP-NPA is the insistence of the NDF to have all its detained members who are currently serving prison terms, released even if they are not covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG).

“On their (NDF-CPP-NPA) part, they viewed us as insincere negotiators,” Padilla said.

He and NDF peace panel spokesman Fidel Agcaoili have engaged in a word war that affected the resumption of the peace talks, over the NDF’s insistence for the government to release all JASIG-protected NDF members from prison." (click link for complete article)

'via Blog this'

Peace Update: Radio Australia:Connect Asia:Story:Norway mediates Philippines peace talks

Radio Australia:Connect Asia:Story:Norway mediates Philippines peace talks: (pls click link for complete transcript)

Presenter: Liam Cochrane
Speaker: Luis Jalandoni, the chief peace negotiator for the National Democratic Front Philippines

"COCHRANE: The Philippines government has accused the Communist rebels of abducting a town mayor and four prison officers. Why are the Communists still abducting people when peace talks are going on?

JALANDONI: Well you see, there is people's democratic government in over 100 guerilla area in the Philippines in about 800 municipalities and this people's democratic government has the right to investigate somebody who has been accused of certain criminal charges. Now this mayor is under investigation and if the investigation results in a positive result for him, then as in the past, they have arranged for the release of such persons."

'via Blog this'

Peace Update: Norway says gov't-NDF peace talks may resume next month - The Philippine Star » News » Headlines

Norway says gov't-NDF peace talks may resume next month - The Philippine Star » News » Headlines: "Peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) may resume next month in Oslo, Norway.

Norway’s special envoy Ture N.L. Lundh said he had an amiable and constructive meeting in Manila last Sept. 6 with Alexander Padilla and Luis Jalandoni, chairpersons of the government and NDF negotiating panels, respectively.

“We are communicating with both parties on a regular basis, and this was another welcome opportunity for us to look at ways at taking steps to resume talks in Oslo, sooner rather than later, hopefully already in late October this year,” Lundh said in an email to The STAR.

Although there are complicated issues for the parties to resolve, Lundh said “I am pleased to convey – after the meeting – a sense of moderate optimism and belief in the prospects for moving the peace process further in the right direction.”"

'via Blog this'