NDF Chairman Mariano Orosa Approves the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law
Luis T. Jalandoni
Chairperson
Negotiating Panel
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
April 14, 1998
It is a great honor for me to announce the approval of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law by Chairman Mariano Orosa, the Principal of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations.
Dated 10 April 1998, the Declaration of Approval by Chairman Mariano Orosa states that throughout the entire period of bilateral deliberations on this first substantive heading of the agenda of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations, the NDFP, including the communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army, has thoroughly studied and discussed the proposed and final provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law which was signed by the respective Negotiating Panels of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in The Hague, The Netherlands on 16 March 1998.
The declaration states that the NDFP is cognizant that this Agreement was concluded after a long period of hard work and that, despite its limitations, it is a document of profound significance and of lasting benefit to the Filipino people as it is relevant to the current situation on human rights and international humanitarian law and responsive to the needs and demands of the people.
The approval of this Agreement lays the foundation for its effective implementation. It also paves the way for comprehensive agreements on social, economic, political and constitutional reforms. Hence, pursuant to Article 5 of Part VI of the said Comprehensive Agreement, Chairman Orosa, for and in behalf of the NDFP, including the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army, approves the said Agreement in toto, without any condition, qualification or reservation whatsoever.
The Declaration of Approval further states that it shall forthwith be transmitted to the Principal of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and that as a solemn covenant between the GRP and the NDFP, the Agreement shall upon approval by Chairman Orosa's counterpart in the GRP, President Fidel V. Ramos, become effective and binding during the peace negotiations and thereafter.
Chairman Orosa likewise gave his approval to the Joint Agreement in Support of Socio-Economic Projects of Private Development Organizations and Institutes and the Additional Implementing Rules of the Joint Agreement in Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) Pertaining to the Security of Personnel and Consultations in Furtherance of Peace Negotiations, both of which had been signed by the respective Negotiating Panels of the GRP and the NDFP on 16 March 1998 in The Hague, The Netherlands.
I am also announcing the Declaration of Ceasefire by the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People's Army and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, dated 10 April 1998. The ceasefire shall last for thirty (30) days, starting on the date of a nonpartisan special ceremony to celebrate the exchange of approvals of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law by the principals in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. The ceasefire shall be implemented, provided that:
1. President Ramos shall issue a satisfactory order for the release of all political prisoners seven (7) days or earlier before the said special ceremony; and
2. The Government of the Republic of the Philippines shall reciprocally carry out a genuine ceasefire which prohibits the AFP, PNP and paramilitary forces from undertaking offensive actions against the people and the people's armed forces under false pretenses of "law enforcement" and "peacekeeping."
The purpose of the ceasefire is to allow our leaders and personnel in the peace negotiations to engage in extensive consultations with the people and our forces on a nationwide scale. As far as the NDFP is concerned, the purpose of the ceasefire is neither to endorse the elections of the reactionary ruling system nor to support any party or candidate running in such elections.
The NDFP looks forward to the holding of the special ceremony of exchange of approvals by the Principals in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations before the end of this month, the release of all political prisoners and the homecoming of Kasamang Joma and Juliet Sison.
Luis G. Jalandoni
Chairperson
NDFP Negotiating Panel
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