By the Movement Against Tyranny
December 27, 2019
In the spirit of the season, the Movement Against Tyranny appeals to all concerned parties and the Filipino people to earnestly work for the resumption of the peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippine (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
We see the possible resumption of the talks as a silver lining in a year that has seen a worsening state of tyranny and human rights violations committed against persons and communities critical of the government, especially those accused of being fronts or having sympathies with the NDFP.
Instead of publicly vilifying and killing suspected rebels and their alleged sympathizers ala Oplan Tokhang, or pining for a military junta in the guise of a revolutionary government, it would be much more productive for the Duterte regime to just sit down with the NDFP to discuss how to work together to end the roots of the armed conflict, including how to uphold human rights and achieve much needed social, economic and political reforms.
We appeal on both sides to respect the temporary ceasefire until January 7 as a confidence building measure towards the resumption of the talks. Initial snags should not be used to derail the bigger objective of bringing both sides to the negotiating table.
To the hawks, militarists, peace spoilers and those profiting from war, including the billions on intelligence funds and political largesse disguised as rebel reintegration programs, we say enough. It is time to give peace a chance.
Our people will certainly appreciate and support efforts by both sides to arrive at a just and meaningful resolution of the armed conflict. The whole nation awaits with hope for that time when everyone can work together to end tyranny and achieve a just and lasting peace in our land.#
