NDF consultant on release, Oslo talks: We will return

By CONG B. CORRALES
Associate Editor

THE probationary release of the 22 peace consultants of the National Democratic Front (NDF) has created a renewed buzz on the resumption of formal negotiations. However, there have been doubts on whether the freed communists would return to the country once they set foot in Oslo, Norway today.

In an exclusive interview over the weekend, Pedro “Ka Gonyong” Codaste assured they intend to return after the formal talks in Oslo.

“Of course, we will come back. Let’s just start with the technicalities. After our visas expire and we do not return to the Philippines, we will be jailed in Oslo as overstaying aliens,” Codaste told the Gold Star Daily.

Codaste has been an NDF peace consultant to the peace talks with national government since 1987, representing the northeastern Mindanao area. He was arrested on Dec. 11, 2010 in Bayugan while he was travelling from Davao City on multiple murder charges and was incarcerated at the Malaybalay city jail. Codaste was released on Friday, a day after Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail freed his comrade Alfredo “Ka Paris” Mapano.

Besides, Codaste said, the criminal charges the NFP peace consultants are facing are all “trumped up” charges. He added that he is hopeful that when they return to the country, the previously signed agreements between the NDF and the government would have been affirmed.

The talking points in Oslo are:

1. Affirmation of previously signed agreements;
2. Acceleration of the peace process by timeline of each substantive agenda;
3. Reconstruction of documents of identification;
4. Amnesty proclamation with the concurrence of Congress;
5. Mode of interim ceasefire.

Codaste said the talking points are “ladderized,” meaning both peace panels could not move to the next item without resolving the preceding items.

“Dali ra man pud naang first four talking points kay yes or no ra man,” said Codaste.

Government peace panel chairman Jesus Dureza concurred over the weekend with the talking points Codaste enumerated.

“That’s the agenda agreed previously,” Dureza said.

Among the previously signed agreements are the Hague Joint Declaration, which was signed on Sept. 1, 1992 and the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig).

The Jasig guarantees “free and unhindered passage in all areas in the Philippines, and in travelling to and from the Philippines in connection with the performance of their duties in the negotiations.” This agreement was signed by both panels in The Netherlands on Feb. 24, 1995.

“When we come back, we (NDF peace consultants) will have been guaranteed safe passage as we go about our roles as peace consultants,” said Codaste.

Highanking communist leader Benito Tiamzon also assured during their press conference last week: “Babalik naman po kami.”

The NDF, under the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines, through its armed wing the New People’s Army, has been establishing its state of belligerency for 47 years. It has been touted as the longest running insurgency in Southeast Asia.