LCP prexy to attend 2nd round of peace talks in Oslo, Norway
League of Cities of the Philippines President and Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan is set to leave for Oslo, Norway on Wednesday, 5 October 2016, to attend the second round of peace negotiation between the Government Peace Panel and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
Pamintuan has served as the adviser to the GPH peace panel since 2004 during the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
"The GPH and NDFP peace panels will conduct the second round of formal talks in Oslo, Norway from October 6 to 10, 2016. Our hopes are high that we will achieve another breakthrough and come up with more comprehensive agreements that will lead to the formal signing of a peace settlement by next year." Pamintuan said.
Among the items in the agenda during this month's negotiations are the Comprehensive Agreement of Social and Economic Reforms or Caser, Political and Constitutional Reforms, and the Joint Ceasefire Agreement.
"We already have indefinite unilateral ceasefire declarations and for the first time since the talks started 30 years ago the ceasefire is holding. We could now discuss and hopefully agree on a joint ceasefire declaration," Pamintuan said.
The peace negotiation with the NDFP, which has been waging a 5-decade guerilla war in the countrysides, and was hiatus after the release on bail of jailed top-leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
"The way to Oslo, Norway is long and back-breaking. The road to peace is also not easy. The issues are deep. The root-causes of this war has to be addressed. The people must be informed that what we are aiming is not only the end of armed hostilities but also the solution to the social and economic issues that brought about this conflict. At the end of the day, it is the Filipino people who must benefit." Pamintuan said.
Former LCP President and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista will also join the trip to Oslo, Norway as the GPH peace panel adviser.