Press statement: Green groups support the resumption of NDFP-GPH peace talks

Press statement*

8 September 2011*

Green groups support the resumption of NDFP-GPH peace talks*

Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) welcomes the
resumption of formal peace talks between the Government of the Philippines
(GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).






Kalikasan PNE has long called for the peaceful settlement and resolution of
centuries-old problem in the country such as poverty, landlessness,
injustice and environmental degradation which have fueled the ongoing war
and prevented the country from achieving lasting peace.  The peace talks is
one avenue where both parties can explore common points and immediate
actions towards genuine and lasting peace in the country.






The GPH and NDFP are to be commended in discussing how environmental issues
can be resolved and advocating for the conservation and preservation of the
the country's ecology.






GPH representative Ednar Dayanghirang said in a forum organized by Kalikasan
PNE that one of the main concerns of the Aquino administration is how to
protect our environment. With this, a balanced and healthful ecology for the
benefit of country, as espoused in the Philippine Constitution, is being
pushed for by the GPH.






The NDFP, stipulated in its program that it shall pursue a comprehensive and
balanced national policy for the country’s natural resources and their
all-round exploration, conservation and development while at the same time
secure and improve a healthy natural environment. This motion is included
in a 10-point concise peace proposal presented to President Benigno Aquino,
which will serve the basis to end civil war and start just peace in the
country, according to NDFP Chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni in a recent peace
forum.






Some of the action points included in the proposal of the NDFP that pertain
to the issue of the environment are providing adequate resources and savings
for the realization of healthy environment, stopping plunder of our natural
resources, and preventing the entry and stationing of weapons of mass
destruction.





Another proposal put forward by NDFP consultant Rafael Baylosis is that even
during the peace negotiations, the New People’s Army, its armed wing, can be
designated as forest protectors against illegal loggers, land grabbers, and
other environmental criminals which not only destroy our ecology but also
deplete our natural resources. The proposal seems holds water since most of
the remaining forests and biodiversity rich-areas like the Sierra Madre
Mountain and Higaonon Forest in Mindanao, are areas where NPA presence is
strongly felt.





Kalikasan PNE believes the proposal of the NDFP to be just, acceptable, and
logical, not only to the warring parties but to the Filipino people as a
whole.

If the GPH takes into account the proposals of the NDFP as well as the
suggestions from civil society and sectoral groups on how the parties can
work together in environmental protection as well as in other issues, a
peaceful resolution to the country's problems might indeed be achieved.






We cannot think of any reason why the Aquino administration and the GPH will
reject such proposals and impede a long-term truce and an alliance between
parties in working towards genuine peace and development which the people
have long clamored for. Thus, let the peace talks begin.