COPENHANGEN: In a significant development towards ending one of Asia’s longest-running armed conflicts, the Philippine government and the country’s communist rebels have agreed to resume peace talks, according to an announcement by Norwegian mediators on Tuesday.
High-ranking delegations from both sides convened in the Norwegian capital last week and reached a consensus on a “common vision for peace,” addressing key obstacles that have fueled the decades-long conflict. The deal, described by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide as a result of “an important signing ceremony,” was officially made public on Tuesday.
The Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), have been in conflict with successive Philippine governments since 1969. The insurgency, rooted in opposition to the Philippines’ close ties with the US and a desire for left-wing parties to be part of the government, has resulted in around 40,000 casualties, comprising combatants and civilians, and has impeded economic development in rural areas.
Philippine Government’s Peace Talks with Communist Rebels
Previous administrations engaged in sporadic peace negotiations with communist rebels. However, former President Rodrigo Duterte terminated peace talks in March 2019, accusing the rebels of attacks on police and military outposts. The NPA is designated as a terrorist organization by the US, the European Union, and the Philippine government due to its actions targeting civilians.
The current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who assumed office last year, has shown a more open stance toward peace talks. Last week, he granted amnesty to several insurgent groups, including the NPA, for offenses such as rebellion, sedition, and illegal assembly, excluding those involved in serious crimes like kidnapping, killing, and terrorism.
The joint statement from the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the umbrella group representing the rebels, expressed a recognition of the need for national unity to address challenges and resolve the root causes of the armed conflict. Both parties pledged to work towards a principled and peaceful resolution of the conflict, envisioning a united and prosperous nation.
The agreement, resulting from informal discussions held in the Netherlands and Norway since the beginning of 2022, marks a significant step forward. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who witnessed the signing, stated that extensive work remains, and Norway looks forward to continuing to assist the parties in reaching a final peace agreement.
