NDFP Press Release on the Successful Conclusion of the Back Channel Talks with the GRP from 11 - 14 November 2001 in The Netherlands.

19 November 2001

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) announces the successful conclusion of back channel talks with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) from 11 to 14 November 2001 in the Netherlands.

The GRP was represented by former Justice Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, Chairperson of the GRP Negotiating Panel, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Hernani A. Braganza, Atty. Sedfrey Candelaria, and Governor Jose V. Yap of Tarlac, Senior Adviser to the GRP Panel. They were assisted by Mr. Danilo Encinas of the Office of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), Ms. Carla L. Munsayac-Villarta, Executive Director, GRP Panel Secretariat, and Mr. Ruben Manahan III of DAR.

The NDFP was represented by Mr. Luis G. Jalandoni, Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel, Mr. Fidel V. Agcaoili and Ms. Coni Ledesma. They were assisted by Prof. Jose Ma. Sison, Chief Political Consultant, Judge Romeo T. Capulong, legal consultant, Ms. Juliet de Lima-Sison, chair, NDFP, Reciprocal Working Committee (RWC) on Social and Economic Reforms, Mr. Rey C. Casambre, Executive Director, Philippine Peace Center, and Ms. Ruth de Leon, NDFP Secretariat.

The following points were agreed upon during the back channel talks:

1. The schedule of the next round of formal talks on 10 to 14 December 2001 in Oslo, Norway and the signing in this regard of a Joint Statement dated 14 November 2001 by the Panel Chairpersons;

2. The first meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) during the aforesaid round of talks with the approval of the Operational Guidelines for the JMC in connection with the implementation of Part V of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAR/HRIHL);

3. The continuance of the negotiations on social and economic reforms by the Reciprocal Working Committees (RWCs) on Social and Economic Reforms, preceded by a meeting of the sub-committees in Manila in order to facilitate the discussion on the draft Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms; and

4. The mutual exchange of goodwill and confidence-building measures with the release of political prisoners held by the GRP and the prisoners of war held by the NDFP.

 

Authenticated by:

Fidel V. Agcaoili

Member, NDFP Negotiating Panel