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May06

Chronology of the Peace Negotiations Between the GRP and the NDFP: 1988-2006

Peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) were first conducted in August-December 1986 under the Aquino administration. After signing a 60-day ceasefire agreement, the GRP showed no more interest in discussing the substantive agenda. The talks collapsed after government troops fired on unarmed peasants demonstrating for land reform near the presidential palace, killing nineteen and injuring hundreds, in January 1987. On March 25, 1987, President Aquino unleashed the sword of war against the New People’s Army (NPA) and the revolutionary movement.

Exploratory and Preliminary Talks (1988-1995)

August 14, 1988 – As goodwill measure, NDFP issues release order of five prisoners of war (POWs), four lieutenants and a sergeant, held by the NPA Melito Glor Command to GRP representatives after 60 days of detention

December 1988 – In an editorial in its official publication, Liberation, NDFP announces its openness to resume peace talks with GRP; in the spirit of the season, NDFP declares unilateral ceasefire effective December 24-26 and December 31-January 1; and, as goodwill measure, issues release order for six POWs held by the Melito Glor Command since September 25 to GRP representatives

February 1989 – Through chief international representative Luis Jalandoni, NDFP expresses willingness to start a new round of peace talks with GRP if the Aquino government makes an executive proclamation against the renewal of the bases agreement with the US on or before Sept. 16, 1991

July 12, 1990 – European Parliament passes a resolution condemning the Aquino government for its continuing human rights violations, demanding a stop to its total war policy, and recommending the withholding of bilateral aid to the Aquino government

July 21, 1990 – The NDFP declares a temporary unilateral ceasefire in earthquake-affected areas in Northern and Central Luzon and Metro Manila to ensure the speedy relief and rehabilitation of communities; unilateral ceasefire is lifted after two months

September 20, 1990 – NDFP chairman Manuel Romero, in a letter to GRP Pres. Aquino, reiterates NDFP’s long-standing offer for the reopening of formal talks between the GRP and NDFP, comprehensively laying down the NDFP’s strategic view of the peace talks; President Aquino responds positively

September 24, 1990 – NDFP representatives Luis Jalandoni and Coni Ledesma meet with a GRP delegation led by Gov. Bren Guiao in Singapore in informal discussions on the prospects of resuming the peace negotiations

September 26-29, 1990 – GRP emissary Rep. Jose Yap meets separately with NDFP vice chairman for international relations Luis Jalandoni and NDFP consultant Jose Ma. Sison in the Netherlands

October 4, 1990 – Luis Jalandoni and Jose Ma. Sison, and Rep. Jose Yap issue separate but similar statements announcing that prospects are bright for a new round of peace negotiations between the GRP and NDFP; Jalandoni declares that peace negotiations can start without preconditions

December 13, 1990 – European Parliament passes a resolution endorsing peace talks between the GRP and NDFP and encouraging both parties to negotiate and forge a comprehensive agreement for a just and lasting peace through the solution of basic national and social problems and, pending such, to agree on mutual respect for human rights in conformity with the humanitarian norms of war as established in the Geneva Convention and its protocols

August 15, 1991 – On behalf of the NDF National Council, Chairman Manuel Romero issues the NDFP Declaration of Adherence to International Humanitarian Law

September 5-6, 1991 – Discreet exploratory talks take place in Hongkong between NDFP representatives and a GRP mission

September 11, 1991 – NDFP declares a unilateral ceasefire to encourage the GRP Senate to reject a new treaty extending the stay of US military bases in the country

September 13, 1991 – The Swiss Federal Council acknowledges receipt of the NDFP Declaration of Adherence to International Humanitarian Law

September 17, 1991 – GRP Senate rejects new treaty extending stay of US military bases

September 21, 1991 – NDFP declares end to its unilateral ceasefire after GRP President Aquino withdrew the notice of termination already served on the US to close its military bases, and her failure to reciprocate the NDFP ceasefire declaration

August 29, 1992 – Rep. Jose Yap comes to the Netherlands with official written authority from newly-elected GRP President Fidel Ramos to resume official exploratory talks with NDFP.

September 1, 1992 – The Hague Joint Declaration is signed in The Hague, The Netherlands by NDFP vice chairman Luis Jalandoni and GRP emissary Rep. Jose Yap at the Clingendael, The Netherlands Institute of International Relations which receives support from the Dutch foreign affairs and defense ministries and advises the government and parliament on issues of international relations

September 14, 1992 – NDFP announces approval of The Hague Joint Declaration by newly-elected Chairman Mariano Orosa

September 16, 1992 – GRP forms the National Unification Commission with Haydee Yorac as Head; Yorac insists that talks between the GRP and NDFP be held in the Philippines, causing delay in the resumption of the preliminary talks

October 28, 1992 – GRP announces President Ramos’ approval of The Hague Joint Declaration

June 14, 1994 – The Breukelen Joint Statement is signed in Breukelen, The Netherlands

October 10-14, 1994 – GRP and NDFP negotiating panels meet in De Bilt, The Netherlands where:

  • The NDFP protests the escalation of human rights violations by the GRP
  • The two panels agree to appoint their respective “small committee” to draft the joint agreement on safety and immunity guarantees
  • The GRP panel rejects the common draft drawn by the “small committees” of the two panels and unilaterally declares a collapse of the talks

November 1994 – The two panels agree to continue exchanging drafts of the agreement on security and immunity guarantees by fax

February 24, 1995 – The Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) is signed by the two panels in Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

The opening of formal peace negotiations is set on June 1, 1995 in Brussels, Belgium (the GRP panel subsequently requests to move the opening to June 26, 1995)

February 26, 1995 – The Joint Agreement on the Ground Rules of the Formal Meetings between the GRP and NDFP Negotiating Panels is signed in Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.

May 2, 1995 – The JASIG takes effect

May 17, 1995 – NDFP Panel consultant Sotero Llamas, who is under the protection of JASIG, is wounded and arrested by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troops in Juban, Sorsogon, and subsequently detained and charged with criminal offenses; NDFP demands his release in accordance with the JASIG

Formal Peace Negotiations (June 1995-1998)

June 26, 1995 – Formal peace talks starts between the GRP and NDFP with official hosting and facilitation by the Belgian Government at the International Press Center in Brussels:

  • Exchange of official credentials between the two panels
    Signing of the Joint Agreement on the Formation, Sequence and Operationalization of the Reciprocal Working Committees
  • Announcement of the formation and operationalization of the Reciprocal Working Committees on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (RWC-HR-IHL); the NDFP asks for a recess until the arrival of NDFP Panel consultant Llamas, whom the GRP had agreed to release to participate in the talks

June 27, 1995 – The GRP fails to comply with the JASIG provision to allow Mr. Llamas to join the NDFP panel and unilaterally suspends the formal talks

June 21, 1996 – NDFP Panel consultant Sotero Llamas is released from prison

June 19-26, 1996 – Formal talks resume in The Hague, The Netherlands with official hosting and facilitation by the Dutch Government:

  • Discussions on comprehensive agreement on respect for human rights and international humanitarian law begin; the NDFP presents a 15-page draft while the GRP presents a 3-page draft
  • Preamble of the CARHRIHL is initialed by both panels
  • The two panels sign the Additional Implementing Rules Pertaining to the Documents of Identification of the JASIG
  • NDFP presents list of holders of Document of Identification (DI) to the GRP; GRP objects to the inclusion of former AFP Gen. Raymundo Jarque

July 5, 1996 – NDFP submits to the Swiss Federal Council as depositary and to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as official guardian the NDFP Declaration of Undertaking to Apply the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and Protocol I of 1977

July 1996 – For humanitarian considerations and as goodwill measure, NDFP issues release order for two prisoners of war in Mindanao (Capt. Lewel Santos and T/Sgt. Johnny Dalapag) to field officers of ICRC

August 2, 1996 – Swiss Federal Council acknowledges receipt of the NDFP Declaration of Undertaking to Apply the Geneva Conventions and Protocol 1 and informs the NDFP of its transmittal to the ICRC as official guardian

August 5, 1996 – NDFP announces its Declaration of Undertaking to Apply the Geneva Conventions and Protocol I and asserts its status of belligerency on the following basis:

  1. The revolutionary people and organizations represented by the NDFP constitute a significant portion of the Philippine population, occupy a significant portion of Philippine territory, and have their own system of government and political principles
  2. The New People’s Army (NPA) operates on a nationwide scale with a central command and under the political leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)
  3. The armed conflict, which is a protracted civil war, has been of an intensity and scale as to require the GRP’s use of its entire armed forces in the name of national defense from 1969 to the present, and the imposition of martial rule from 1972 to 1986

November 21, 1996 – AFP abducts NDFP Panel consultant Danilo Borjal, turns him over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) which in turn detains and charges him with criminal offenses; NDFP protests violation of the JASIG; GRP denies the violation, resulting in another impasse in the talks

February 8, 1997 – GRP accedes to NDFP demand for the release of Mr. Borjal in accordance with JASIG; initialing of supplemental agreement to strive to accelerate the talks

March 18-23, 1997 – Resumption of formal talks in The Hague, The Netherlands:

  • The Supplemental Agreement to the Joint Agreement on the Formation, Sequence and Operationalization of the Reciprocal Working Committees is signed by both panels
  • Small committees composed of members from both panels are formed to tackle separate items:
    1. Part I: Declaration of Principles and Part II: Bases, Scope and Applicability of CARHRIHL
    2. Additional implementing rules to the JASIG pertaining to the security of personnel and consultations in furtherance of the peace negotiations
    3. A joint agreement in support of socio-economic projects of private development organizations and institutes
    4. Release of political prisoners
      GRP Panel Chair Howard Dee hands over to NDFP Panel Chair Luis Jalandoni the GRP Panel’s documents of acknowledgment for 73 NDFP holders of Document of Identification

April 1997 – NDFP Reciprocal Working Committee on Socio-Economic Reforms is operationalized and drafts a 50-page agreement in preparation for discussions with its GRP counterpart

April 22, 1997 – GRP panel presents “two options”:

Option 1: each agreement on a major item of the substantive agenda may be forged by the Parties and approved by their respective principals separately and may have separate and distinct effectivity dates on the precondition that its implementation shall be “according to the constitutional and legal processes of the GRP”

Option 2: all four agreements on the major items of the substantive agenda shall first be completed by the negotiating panels before they are initialed and submitted to their respective principals for approval, also subject to the precondition that their implementation shall be “according to the constitutional and legal processes of the GRP”

NDFP rejects these options as gross and serious violations of The Hague Joint Declaration and the Joint Agreement on the Formation, Sequence and Operationalization of the Reciprocal Working Committees; GRP declares indefinite recess

July 18, 1997 – The European Parliament passes a resolution, expressing appreciation to the GRP and NDFP for their mutual commitment to pursue formal peace negotiations in Europe within the framework of The Hague Joint Declaration, supporting all the bilateral agreements the two Parties have reached, and requesting the Commission and the Council to provide and facilitate support and assistance to the Parties in carrying out their formal peace negotiations

July 31 - August 5, 1997 – The RWCs on HR-IHL of both panels initial a common tentative draft of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL)

Two other agreements are initialed:

  1. Additional Implementing Rules of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) Pertaining to the Security of Personnel and Consultations in Furtherance of the Peace Negotiations
  2. Joint Agreement in Support of Socio-economic Projects of Private Development Organizations and Institutes

August 1997 – GRP panel submits August 5 common tentative draft to GRP cabinet cluster on internal security, which rejects it and instructs the GRP panel to reformulate the draft

August 22, 1997 – GRP panel submits to the NDFP its Reformulated Draft of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law; NDFP rejects it as a mutilation and cannibalization of the August 5 common tentative draft

August 26 - October 7, 1997 – NDFP Panel member Fidel Agcaoili conducts consultations with NDFP forces and various individuals and groups, including people’s organizations; meets GRP President Ramos

October 30, 1997 – An NPA unit captures Rodriguez, Rizal, Police Chief Maj. Rene Francisco and M/Sgt. Joaquin Melad in a raid on the Rodriguez, Rizal, municipal hall

November 11, 1997 – GRP Panel Chairman Dee announces the suspension of the peace talks between the GRP and NDFP

December 5, 1997 – As goodwill and confidence building measure, the NDFP issues release order of P/Maj. Francisco and M/Sgt. Melad to the ICRC after securing GRP suspension of military and police operations for the safe and orderly release of the POWs and the safety of the NPA custodial forces, the surrounding communities and ICRC representatives

January 2, 1998 – Also as goodwill and confidence building measure, the NDFP issues release order of Police SP03 Martellano Magtagad to the ICRC by the NPA’s Lucio de Guzman Command of Southern Tagalog

January 6-10, 1998 – Resumption of peace talks in The Hague, The Netherlands

The two panels initial the draft of Parts 1, 11 and III of the CARHRIHL except for Article 5, Part III and exchange drafts on the provisions on respect for International Humanitarian Law

January 13-27, 1998 – Luis Jalandoni and Coni Ledesma, NDFP panel chairperson and member, respectively, conduct consultations with NDFP forces and other organizations, groups and individuals interested in the progress of the peace negotiations; high point of their visit is a meeting with political prisoners and with GRP President Ramos

January 28-31, 1998 – Parts IV, V and VI which constitute the second half of CARHRIHL are initialed by both panels; only Article 5, Part III remains unresolved with the panels agreeing to immediately work on a mutually acceptable formulation

March 16, 1998 – GRP and NDFP negotiating panels sign the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law

Two short agreements are also signed: the Additional Implementing Rules of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) Pertaining to the Security of Personnel and Consultations in Furtherance of the Peace Negotiations and the Joint Agreement in Support of Socio-economic Projects of Private Development Organizations and Institutes

Drafts of Social and Economic Reforms are exchanged

April 10, 1998 – NDFP Chairman Mariano Orosa approves the CARHRIHL

August 7, 1998 – GRP President Joseph Estrada approves the CARHRIHL

Suspension of Formal Talks and Termination
of Peace Negotiations (1998-2001)

October 27-29, 1998 – GRP delegation headed by Sen. Franklin Drilon holds informal talks with NDFP panel. The GRP delegation:

  1. Raises objections to and proposes to delete Art. 4 Part III and Art. 6 Part IV of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL)
  2. Proposes that the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) be placed under the Office of the President of the GRP

Both proposals are rejected by the NDFP as tantamount to capitulation and a violation of The Hague Joint Declaration; GRP suspends formal talks

January 14, 1999 – The European Parliament passes a resolution, congratulating the GRP and the NDFP for their success in forging the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), welcoming all the expressions and acts of good intentions of the GRP and NDFP, supporting all their common and separate efforts to apply the International Bill of Rights and International Humanitarian Law, and requesting the Commission and the Council to provide support and assistance to the Parties in the implementation of the CARHRIHL

February 1999 – The NPA captures 4 AFP/PNP officers in succession in Mindanao and Bicol: General Obillo and Maj. Montealto in Davao del Norte, P/Maj Bernal in Bicol, and Sgt. Lozada in Surigao Sur.

February 24, 1999 – GRP President Estrada declares unilateral suspension of peace negotiations and the JASIG

April 9-27, 1999 – For humanitarian consideration and act of goodwill, NDFP issues the release order of the 4 AFP/PNP officers and Sgt. Wivino Demol of the PA-Intelligence Security Group to the ICRC and the Humanitarian Mission headed by Senator Loren Legarda, Bishops Tomas Millamena and Fernando Capalla after securing GRP suspension of military and police operations in release areas

May 27, 1999 – Philippine Senate ratifies the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), granting US military forces unlimited access to and use of Philippine ports and airports in violation of the principle of national sovereignty and GRP’s own constitution

May 29, 1999 – NDFP announces its Recognition of De-facto Termination of the Peace Negotiations by the GRP

May 31, 1999 – GRP sends formal notice of termination of peace negotiations and the JASIG to the NDFP

June 11, 1999 – NDFP formally acknowledges GRP’s termination of peace negotiations

January 2000 – Upon representation of a humanitarian mission headed by Senator Loren Legarda, Bishops Tomas Millamena and Jesus Varela, NDFP agrees to issue release orders of P/Maj. Abelardo Martin and PA/Intelligence Officer Maj. Noel Buan provided GRP suspends military and police operations in the release area; NDFP issues its updated position on POWs; GRP military stages a failed rescue operation of Martin, resulting in his death and the wounding of an NPA fighter

October 2000 - January 2001 – During the campaign to oust President Estrada, Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declares that if and when she assumes the presidency, she would “reverse the all-out-war policy of the Estrada government and resume peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)”; shortly after being sworn into office, President Macapagal-Arroyo reconstitutes the GRP negotiating panels for talks with both the NDFP and MILF

Resumption and Virtual Termination
of Peace Negotiations (2001-2006)

March 9, 2001 – GRP-NDFP negotiating panels hold informal talks and agree to:

  1. Resume formal talks on April 26-29, 2001 in Oslo, Norway
  2. Uphold the validity of all previously signed agreements
  3. Undertake goodwill and confidence-building measures including the release by the GRP of political prisoners and the release by the NDFP of PA/Maj. Noel Buan

March 27, 2001 – GRP President Macapagal-Arroyo declares reinstatement of the effectivity of the JASIG; NDFP Chairman Orosa declares likewise

April 6, 2001 – On orders of the NDFP National Executive Committee, the NPA Melito Glor Command releases Maj. Buan in Oriental Mindoro to the ICRC and a GRP delegation as goodwill and confidence-building measure, after securing GRP suspension of military and police operations in the release area

April 18, 2001 – Solidarity Conference in support of GRP-NDFP Peace Talks, is held in Westin Plaza Hotel, Manila, with Antonio Zumel, NDFP Senior Adviser, Luis Jalandoni and top GRP officials in attendance; Jalandoni and Coni Ledesma meet President Macapagal-Arroyo

April 27-30, 2001 – Resumption of formal peace talks in Oslo, Norway, with official hosting and facilitation by the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG); the following agenda is adopted:

  1. Exchange of official credentials between the two panels; NDFP presents list of DI Holders in accordance with JASIG
  2. Confidence-building and goodwill measures
  3. Implementation of CARHRIHL
  4. Activation of RWCs on Socio-Economic Reforms and formation of subcommittees under the RWCs
  5. Signing of the Oslo Joint Communique (April 30, 2001)

June 1, 2001 – Informal meeting of RWC-SER subcommittees in Antipolo, Rizal

June 10-14, 2001 – Second round of formal peace talks in Oslo, Norway, with official hosting and facilitation by the RNG; GRP hands over Letters of Acknowledgement for DI Holders; talks are suspended by the GRP on June 12 in protest over the death of Col. Rodolfo Aguinaldo, a notorious human rights violator during the Marcos martial law regime

September 2001 – GRP and NDFP agree to resume formal peace talks on Sept 21-25. However, even with the extensive and meticulous preparations by the RNG, the talks are aborted after GRP Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes called for a special meeting of the Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security (COC-IS) which reversed the GRP Panel decision to resume formal talks and instructed GRP Panel Chair Bello and panel member Sec. Hernani Braganza to proceed to Oslo and hold informal or “backchannel” talks instead with the NDFP panel

November 11-14, 2001 – Backchannel talks in The Netherlands between the GRP and NDFP negotiating panels to discuss the following:

  1. Confidence-building measures
  2. Finalize draft of operational guidelines for the JMC
  3. Finalize draft of joint statement on resumption of formal peace talks
  4. Release of Sgt. Jeremias Rosete, Jr and three others captured by the NPA for espionage in Far South Mindanao

November 22, 2001 – GRP Speaker de Venecia calls Prof. Sison from Mexico after attending talks between US Pres. Bush and Pres. Arroyo in Washington; De Venecia warns the NDFP that the US government will include the CPP-NPA-NDFP in its list of foreign terrorist organizations, and that the GRP can try to convince the US government not to do so provided the NDFP agrees to sign a final peace agreement with the GRP within three months; Prof. Sison invites de Venecia for informal talks in The Netherlands

November 30 - Dec 1, 2001 – Backchannel talks in The Netherlands between GRP delegation composed of Speaker De Venecia, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Gen. Eduardo Ermita, Bello, Jose Yap and Presidential Management Staff Head Silvestre Afable and NDFP panel members and consultants

Agenda:

  1. GRP proposal – a 3-page draft of Final Peace Agreement.
  2. NDFP counterproposal: Document of Understanding to Accelerate the Peace Negotiations between the GRP and the NDFP
  3. Confidence-building measures

The two sides work on the two drafts and finally agree on a joint “Document of Understanding to Accelerate the Peace Negotiations between the GRP and the NDFP” after marathon negotiations lasting till the wee hours of December 2; the joint document of understanding is rejected purportedly by the COC-IS when the two Parties arrived in Oslo for a meeting with the RNG prime minister

December 2, 2001 – GRP delegation and NDFP negotiating panel meet newly elected Prime Minister Kyell Magne Bondevik of the RNG. PM Bondevik promises that the Norwegian government will continue to act as facilitator and supporter of the peace negotiations

December 14, 2001 – In a forum for peace attended by GRP representatives and consultants of the NDFP at the Philippine Asian Center, Speaker de Venecia confirms the move of the US government to classify the NDFP and NPA as “terrorist groups”

December 15, 2001 – January 15, 2002 – NDFP declares one-month unilateral ceasefire on humanitarian grounds and act of goodwill to allow the armed personnel of both sides to celebrate the holiday season

January 9-10, 2002 – Backchannel talks (Bello and Braganza for GRP, Jalandoni, Agcaoili and Ledesma for NDFP) in The Netherlands
The GRP verbally presents to NDFP a proposal for a “single final peace agreement” as the culmination of a series of backchannel or informal talks; no written proposal is submitted to the NDFP; the NDFP Panel replies that since the proposal is a major departure from the The Hague Joint Declaration, it will be referred to the NDFP National Executive Committee

March 16, 2002 – GRP suspends formal talks with NDFP and announces preference for informal or backchannel talks to arrive at “a settlement within the framework of the GRP Constitution”; Malacanang calls on the NPA and MILF to “lay down your arms… join the mainstream of society”

April 12, 2002 – NDFP National Executive Committee issues its decision on GRP proposal for a “single peace agreement,” declaring it a proposal to abandon previous agreements and end formal peace talks

July 2002 – For the second time after March 2002, GRP refuses to issue suspension of military and police operations for the safe and orderly release of Sgt. Rosete and three others to a humanitarian mission headed by Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez; NDFP Executive Committee withdraws its decision to release them on humanitarian grounds to allow the revolutionary movement’s justice system to take its course

August 5, 2002 – Shortly after the visit of US State Secretary Colin Powell to the Philippines, President Macapagal-Arroyo announces the redeployment of troops involved in the just-concluded “Balikatan 02-1 RP-US Joint Military Training Exercise” to various NPA-controlled areas throughout the country, virtually declaring “all-out war” on the revolutionary movement

August 9, 2002 – US State Secretary Powell announces the inclusion of the CPP-NPA in the US list of “foreign terrorist organizations”

August 10, 2002 – Prof. Sison issues statement condemning the US and Philippine governments for being in cahoots with each other in the designation of the CPP and NPA as “terrorists” in a futile psywar attempt to intimidate and push them towards capitulation

Prof. Sison warns that the designation of the CPP and NPA as “terrorists” is likely to lead to the termination of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations and to the intensification of the civil war and even to a war of national liberation against US aggression, if the US troops join the puppets in combat against the NPA

August 12, 2002 – US Treasury Department announces financial sanctions including freezing of assets on the CPP-NPA and Professor Sison, who is also listed by the US as an “international terrorist”
August 13, 2002 – The Netherlands issues sanction regulations against CPP-NPA and Prof. Sison as “terrorists” and orders the freezing of Prof. Sison’s bank account, containing allowances received from the Dutch government as a recognized political refugee

August 14, 2002 – GRP President Macapagal-Arroyo adopts nine-point guidelines in dealing with the CPP-NPA, welcoming the US listing and practically opting for a military solution to the armed conflict.

September – October 2002 – Questions on the “terrorist listing” of the CPP-NPA and Prof, Sison are raised in the European Parliament and the national parliaments of Belgium, The Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Spain; 23 members of the European Parliament (MEP), 27 Swedish MPs, 10 Dutch MPs, 5 Danish MPs, 3 Belgian MPs, and one MP each from New Zealand and Canada and prominent religious, civic, human rights and international law personalities and organizations from Europe, as well as the following leaders from the Philippines: Vice-President Teofisto Guingona, Senate Majority Leader Loren Legarda, 8 MPs, two former senators, 19 Bishops (both Catholic and Protestants), the Chair of the National Council of Churches, writers, artists, academicians and more, sign petition to protest the “terrorist listing” of the CPP-NPA and Prof. Sison

October 28, 2002 – The European Council of Ministers announces its decision to include the NPA and Prof. Sison in its “terrorists list”

October 31, 2002 – GRP Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople announces that a GRP special mission which he headed had successfully campaigned among European Union member countries to include the NPA and Prof. Sison in the European Council’s “list of terrorists”. In saying that “the purpose of the diplomatic initiative was to bring pressure on the Communists to agree to go back to the negotiating table and discuss a comprehensive peace settlement…” GRP Secretary Ople confirms NDFP charge that the GRP is using the “terrorist listing” as leverage to force the NDFP to capitulate

January 17, 2003 – The GRP COC-IS finalizes the draft “Final Peace Accord” and submits it to President Macapagal-Arroyo for approval

January 30, 2003 – The GRP panel transmits by fax the draft 29-page “Final Peace Accord” to the NDFP; RNG, through State Secretary Vidar Helgesen, retransmits it by fax on February 14, 2003

February 19, 2003 – Exploratory or “backchannel” talks are held between a GRP delegation (Bello and Afable) and NDFP delegation (Jalandoni, Agcaoili and Ledesma) to explore possibilities for the resumption of formal talks; GRP delegation declares “indefinite recess” after impasse is reached on whether or not the GRP violated bilateral agreements in campaigning for the “terrorist listing” of the NPA and Prof. Sison and putting the NDFP under duress by pressuring it to accept GRP’s “Final Peace Accord”

June 2003 – State Secretary Vidar Helgesen of RNG shuttles between The Netherlands and the Philippines to meet NDFP panel and GRP officials and panel on the prospects of resuming the peace negotiations
June 26-28, 2003 – Informal talks in The Hague, The Netherlands between a GRP delegation composed of Speaker de Venecia, Gov. Jose Yap, Sec. Norberto Gonzales and Bello and the NDFP Panel to explore possibilities for resuming formal talks

October 9-11, 2003 – Informal talks in Oslo, Norway, with hosting and facilitation by the RNG; discussions on the guidelines for the JMC; possible assistance of a Swiss NGO, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, on behalf of the RNG

November 20-21, 2003 – Informal talks in Oslo, Norway where a draft joint statement for the resumption of the peace negotiations is agreed upon; draft joint statement is signed on January 13, 2004, by the chairmen of the two negotiating panels

February 10-14, 2004 – Formal talks resume in Oslo, Norway, with hosting and facilitation by the RNG. First Oslo Joint Statement is issued on February 14 2004, containing, among others, agreement to adopt effective measures to resolve the issue of “terrorist listing” in accordance with The Hague Joint Declaration, the JASIG and the CARHRIHL, to form the JMC with the signing of the Operational Guidelines for the Joint Monitoring Committee, to set aside USD150 million from the USD684 million forfeited Marcos ill-gotten wealth for the indemnification of the victims of human rights violations under the Marcos regime, and to release political prisoners. Role of RNG as Third Party Facilitator is agreed upon by both parties

March 28 - April 3, 2004 – Second round of formal talks takes place in Oslo, Norway, with hosting and facilitation by the RNG. Second Oslo Joint Statement is issued on April 3, 2004, containing, among others, agreement to take further steps to resolve the issue of “terrorist listing” and call on the international community to refrain from any action that may impede or impair the peace process, and to release political prisoners in a list of 32 submitted by Karapatan, including those already ordered release by President Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001 such as the Mamburao 7. JMC is formally convened and holds its first meeting

April 15, 2004 – Joint Secretariat of the JMC is formally convened at the compound of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in Intramuros, Manila after the second meeting of the JMC in Manila

June 4, 2004 – Inauguration of the offices of the Joint Secretariat (JS) in Immaculate Conception Building, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines with the official participation of Paul Moe, RNG Ambassador to the Philippines

June 22-24, 2004 – Third round of formal talks in Oslo, Norway, with hosting and facilitation by the RNG; no joint statement is issued but two small agreements are signed: Partial Supplemental Guidelines for the Joint Monitoring Committee and Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Third Party Facilitator, the Royal Norwegian Government

July 7, 2004 – NDFP accuses GRP of negotiating in bad faith and reneging on its obligations to set aside in an escrow account USD150M for the indemnification of the victims of human rights violations, after the NDFP learns that the full amount of USD680M of the Marcos ill-gotten wealth has been transferred to the national treasury on March 12, 2004 with the termination of the custodianship agreement between the GRP and the Philippine National Bank (PNB)

July 25-29, 2004 – NDFP Panel conducts consultations with its RWC-SER in The Netherlands through the facilitation of RNG and finishes a new draft of its Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER) in accordance with previous round of discussions with GRP RWC-SER; NDFP adopts a concrete proposal for moving the negotiations on CASER forward

August 10, 2004 – US retains CPP, NPA and Prof. Sison in list of “foreign terrorist organizations and individuals”; NDFP postpones formal talks scheduled for August 24-30 in order to give time to GRP to comply with its obligations in accordance with The Hague Joint Declaration, JASIG, CARHIRHL and Oslo Joint Statements 1 and 2

August 15, 2004 – NDFP issues release order on humanitarian grounds for two POWs in Bicol (Lt. Ronaldo Fedelino and Pfc. Ronel Nemesio) to GRP representatives and ICRC after securing GRP suspension of military and police operations in two provinces

October 19, 2004 – GRP President Arroyo instructs the national security agencies of the government to “come up with a comprehensive reassessment of our strategy vis-à-vis the CPP-NPA and a review of our negotiations with the NDFP”

November 3-18, 2004 – NDFP Panel and NDFP-MC conduct consultations with NDFP-JS in The Netherlands through the facilitation of RNG

December 16-17, 2004 – Informal talks in Utrecht, The Netherlands, with GRP delegation composed of Sec. Bello, Gov. Yap and former GRP labor secretary Nieves Confesor and NDFP panel members (Jalandoni and Agcaoili) and Prof. Sison; GRP proposes indefinite or prolonged ceasefire as a precondition to the resumption of formal talks

January 2005 – GRP Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles and Presidential Chief of Staff Norberto Gonzales tour Europe for six days after NDFP reveals confidential information that Gonzales has recommended the assassination of Prof. Sison in a GRP cabinet meeting presided by Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo

February 16, 2005 – GRP announces recomposition of its panel

March 15, 2005 – Police storm Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, Metro Manila after Moro detainees falsely accused of membership in the Abu Sayyaf stage a protest action against inhuman prison conditions, killing and injuring elderly and minors included in Annex A of the 2nd Oslo Joint Statement

June 1-5, 2005 – NDFP conducts consultations with RNG as Third Party Facilitator to discuss the resumption of formal talks and presents idea of extended or cumulative ceasefires related to socio-economic projects which are localized but to be mutually and centrally approved by the GRP and NDFP and run by the local people with the direct assistance of foreign governments

June 23-25, 2005 – Dialogue between NDFP Panel and the Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity of the GRP House of Representatives; draft joint statement is agreed upon after two days of discussions; Speaker de Venecia mangles the draft joint statement after consultations with COC-IS

August 4, 2005 – GRP unilaterally suspends the JASIG; NDFP protests unilateral suspension as a violation of the provisions of JASIG

August 28-30, 2005 – Informal talks in Oslo, Norway. GRP delegation informs the NDFP delegation its only mandate is to negotiate a ceasefire and not to negotiate the resumption of formal talks; NDFP protests widespread and systematic violations of human rights and against impunity

August 27, 2005 – NDFP delegation provides GRP delegation with the ten-point Concise Agreement for an Immediate Just Peace by the NDFP National Council

January 2006 - RNG on terror listing

March 1, 2006 – GRP court imposes death penalty on Mamburao 7

March 16, 2006 – On behalf of the heirs of victims and for Bayan, Karapatan-Southern Tagalog, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Pamalakaya and Karapatan-Southern Mindanao, Karapatan-National, assisted by the Public Interest Law Center (PILC), file a complaint/communication against GRP with the UN Human Rights Committee in New York; the complaints/communications were brought on the basis of violations of the 1966 International Covenanant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), through its Optional Protocol, both of which were signed and ratified by the GRP

March 2006 - RNG on PD 1017

February – March 2006 – GRP charges with rebellion NDFP Chief Political Consultant Prof. Sison, NDFP Panel Chair Luis Jalandoni, NDFP Panel members Fidel Agcaoili and Juliet Sison, NDFP Panel Consultants Vicente Ladlad, Rafael Baylosis, Randall Echanis, Rey Claro Casambre and threatens their arrest; GRP turns the list of NDFP personnel and consultants accorded safety and immunity under the JASIG into a list of persons charged with rebellion and subject to warrantless arrest.

By Philippine Peace Center
May 2006
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Peace Negotiations in the Philippines
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