December 22, 2012
Gifts of Peace, Resolutions for the New Year
Civil society peace advocates laud the announcement by the GPH and NDFP of a nationwide ceasefire from December 20, 2012 to January 15, 2013 and of an agreement that their Special Representatives will continue discussions next year.
We are grateful as Filipinos for this longer Christmas ceasefire that also affirms and broadens earlier unilateral announcements by the NDFP Mindanao and by the AFP of suspension of offensive military operations that would allow humanitarian efforts responding to the terrible devastation in parts of Mindanao. Indeed , this is a moment of severe crisis for many affected communities that calls for more compassionate response and cooperation by all possible parties.
We celebrate the announcement that Special Representatives of the GPH and NDFP will carry through discussions on 1) common declaration on national unity and just peace, 2) further upholding of national independence, democracy and human rights,3) committee for national unity, peace and development, 4)agrarian reform, rural development and national industrialization, and 5) truce. After more than a year of lack of progress on the GPH-NDFP peace processes, this is a joyful gift of the season.
The new year must truly be a time when all parties must uphold human rights and International humanitarian law with utmost determination to further support these discussions.
At the same time, peace advocates continue to celebrate the progress on moving forward on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, particularly the work in drafting the various annexes on Wealth–Sharing, Power-Sharing, Normalization and Transitional Arrangements and Modalities. The issuance of Executive Order No. 120 creating the Transition Commission is a very positive sign of commitment to pursue the roadmap under the agreement. Moreover, the House of Representatives and the Senate have affirmed that they are on board by swiftly passing resolutions supporting EO 120.
All these bring out our renewed hope for peace for the coming year. The months ahead will be challenging, our new year resolutions must now really become actions. But for now we take time for gratitude and celebration of the long-awaited gifts of the season: HOPE and PEACE!
Initial Signatories:
Waging Peace Philippines
Generation Peace (Youth Network)
WE Act 1325 (Women Engaged in Action on 1325)
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, S.J.
Joeven Reyes, Sulong CARHRIHL,
Amina Rasul
Marlon J. Manuel, Alternative Law Groups
Delia Ediltrudes Locsin
Representative Teddy Baguilat
Balay Mindanaw Foundation Inc.
Initiatives for International Dialogue
Cesar Villanueva
Antonio G M La Vina, Ateneo School of Government
Pax Christi- Negros
International Alert- Philippine Office
Josefina Villanueva
Fr. Albert Alejo S.J.
Maxine Tanya Hamada
Attested by/Contact Person: Karen N. Tanada -09159932616, <ktanada@gmail.com>