NDFP MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE
ON THE DEATH OF FORMER PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES
NEGOTIATING PANEL
2 August 2009
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel and its Consultants convey their heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives and friends of former President Corazon Aquino on her passing away yesterday.
Professor Jose Maria Sison in an animated conversation with President Corazon C. Aquino
Upon assuming the presidency after the fall of the dictator Marcos, she fulfilled her commitment to release all political prisoners, including Prof. Jose Maria Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the Chief Political Consultant of the NDFP.
She engaged the NDFP in peace negotiations, but the military and police caused the termination of the ceasefire agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the NDFP when they indiscriminately fired on the peasants and their urban supporters marching for land reform on January 22, 1987.
The 1987 constitution, which was framed under the Aquino administration, contains provisions which may be used to counter land reform. But it also carries provisions which uphold human rights and restrain the proclamation of martial law, retain national restrictions on foreign investments and prohibit foreign military bases, foreign troops and nuclear weapons on Philippine soil.
Beset by coup attempts and threats by pro-Marcos and pro-Enrile factions of the military and police, then President Corazon Aquino sent Congressman Jose V. Yap to NDFP officials in The Netherlands in September 1990 to explore the holding of GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. These efforts were, however, derailed by Generals Fidel Ramos and Renato de Villa.
After she finished her term as president, Corazon Aquino strongly opposed the grossly anti-democratic policies and actions of her successors, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In this regard, she was willing to join up with the patriotic and progressive forces of the people in mass protest actions.
Though suffering from failing health, she condemned the anti-democratic machinations of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to cling to power beyond her term ending in June 2010. From her sickbed, she sent a powerful message of support to thousands of demonstrators protesting Mrs. Arroyo's Con-Ass scheme. She called it "a shameful abuse of power!".
The NDFP Negotiating Panel and its Consultants express their solidarity with the family, relatives and friends of former President Corazon Aquino in their time of mourning and grief and wish them much strength and courage.
| (Sgd.) Luis G. Jalandoni Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel |
(Sgd.) Prof. Jose Maria Sison Chief Political Consultant |
| (Sgd.)Fidel V. Agcaoili Vice-Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel |
(Sgd.) Atty. Romeo T. Capulong Senior Legal Adviser |
| (Sgd.) Ms. Julieta de Lima - Sison Member, NDFP Negotiating Panel |
(Sgd.) Vicente Ladlad Political Consultant |
| (Sgd.) Coni K. Ledesma Member, NDFP Negotiating Panel |
(Sgd.) Dan Borjal Consultant |
| (Sgd.) Asterio B. Palima Member, NDFP Negotiating Panel |
(Sgd.) Randall Echanis Consultant |
| (Sgd.) Rafael Baylosis Consultant |
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| (Sgd.) Elizabeth Principe Consultant |
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