22 January 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today said that recent events clearly indicate that the peace processes between the Philippines and the MILF and the Philippines and the NDF remain on course. 

“The recent visit of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi during which he reiterated Malaysia’s strong support for our peace process with the MILF gives our efforts at achieving peace in the Southern Philippines a major boost.  With regard to our peace process with the CPP-NPA-NDF, the signing last week by the Philippines and the NDF of a joint statement indicating their agreement to begin formal talks, brings renewed hopes of peace,” Secretary Albert said.

The Secretary said that Malaysia agreed to host in Malaysia next month a final exploratory meeting that would address remaining issues before formal peace talks could begin.

“Malaysia is committed to moving our peace process forward.  They will host the last meeting of the exploratory talks between us and the MILF.  It is our common hope that during that meeting, we will be able to address our remaining differences and pave the way for formal peace talks,” the Secretary explained.

The Secretary confirmed the announcement by Secretary Silvestre Afable, the head of the Philippine Panel, that the Philippines is ready to address the two main concerns of the MILF, the warrants of arrests against MILF leaders for the Davao bombings and the redeployment of troops from the Buliok complex.

“I agree with Secretary Afable that these issues can be addressed.  I also believe that during the final exploratory meeting, we will be able to resolve the issue of the terms of reference of the international monitoring team,” Secretary Albert said.

On the peace talks with the NDF, Secretary Albert said that Norway has played a key role in bridging the difference between the two sides. On the issue of the international terrorist label of the CPP-NPA and Jose Maria Sison, Secretary Albert said that the Philippines will ensure the safety of the NDF panel during the talks and that once the talks are successful, it would only be a matter of time before the label is removed.

“The terrorist label was given by the international community based on their assessment of the actions and behavior of the CPP-NPA.  It would also be by the actions of the CPP-NPA, actions that point the way towards meaningful peace, that would convince the international community to lift this designation,” she explained.

“I anticipate that when peace is achieved, when violence becomes a thing of the past, when our political and ideological differences will be settled in the public arena and not in the battlefield, the countries of the world will welcome this achievement and it would be most difficult for them to maintain the position that the CPP-NPA is an international terrorist organization,” Secretary Albert said. END.