ADVERTISEMENT
The peace talks now going on in Oslo between the government and the NDFP, having moved on to the deep-seated problems that have been sustaining the CPP-NPA-led armed struggle over 40 years, were the subject of editorial comment in this newspaper the other day. I think that certain points were correctly spotlighted and interpreted in the editorial, but it is amiss on others. By SATUR C. OCAMPO / bulatlat.com
otwithstanding all the reasons for optimism and hope that the peace talks are finally on the roll again, the two parties agree that the way forward is a formidable challenge, strewn with unexpected twists and turns and fraught with pitfalls and obstacles. By CAROL PAGADUAN-ARAULLO / bulatlat.com
Imagine a world without US intervention, violence, manipulation, and bullying. What’s happening in the Middle East is sending across the planet precisely the message that a world other than this is what people want, thereby agitating US policymakers, who have never imagined such a world possible. By LUIS V. TEODORO / bulatlat.com
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
"When we were still (in Saudi) the government did not help us. Now that we are home, they still could not extend any assistance to us." – Lubaira Guiandal, 43, one of the OFWs who lived under the Khandara Bridge while awaiting repatriation.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Former Air Force Captain Joenel S. Pogoy, who spent two years in detention after being court-martialed for exposing corruption in the Air Force, says corruption in the military is worse than what is publicly known. The truth is, he says, many military officers -- from the time they are still lieutenants to the time they become generals -- are being taught by unscrupulous superiors to become corrupt.
By RAYMUND B. VILLANUEVA in Olso
and RONALYN V. OLEA in Manila
Arrests of NDFP consultant Alan Jazmines and activist Ericson Acosta marred the opening of the peace process in Oslo. But both sides remain optimistic that despite these incidents, the negotiations would proceed smoothly.
Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, the spokesman of the NDFP in Mindanao, enumerated today several incidents that he described as “blatant violations” of the mutually agreed ceasefire between Manila and the NDFP, whose panels have been holding peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway, since Feb. 15.
GPH-NDFP Peace Talks Opening Statements
Nothing much is being said about the agenda and the developments in the talks. This is most unfortunate because what is being negotiated are important matters that could affect not only the peace talks but the future of the Filipino people. And the Filipino people's inputs and involvement in the talks are not only desirable but essential. By BENJIE OLIVEROS / bulatlat.com
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
To the military, Acosta is a terrorist as defined in the Aquino government’s military campaign Oplan Bayanihan. But to many friends and colleagues from the University of the Philippines, he is nothing of the sort. He is a poet, songwriter, and activist.
Interview: NDFP's Jalandoni, GPH's Padilla
GPH-NDFP Peace Talks Opening Ceremony
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Satur Ocampo laments the statements made by the AFP about the peace talks that were mostly disparaging or negative. He says there were designed to sabotage the peace process.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Groups welcome the Supreme Court’s decision junking the petition by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez that sought to stop the impeachment case against her in Congress.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bayan asks the government to be transparent in the decision-making process involving the fare increases. It also denounces the “element of deception” on the matter, pointing out, for example, that commuters of LRT 1 will be paying for the debts incurred by LRT 2.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“The armed conflict is deeply rooted in extreme poverty and social injustice suffered by the Filipino people and should be addressed by concrete measures A just and lasting peace cannot be achieved through abstract and empty peace rhetoric.” –Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Luis Jalandoni, chairman of the NDFP peace panel, said the arrest of Alan Jazmines is an attempt by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to disrupt the peace negotiations which are just about to be resumed on February 15 to 21, in Oslo , Norway.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Fr. Dionito Cabillas, Selda secretary general, said the Philippine government should work for the immediate release of the political prisoners as a sign of goodwill in the continuation of the peace talks and for humanitarian reasons.
On Valentine's Day, various progressive groups led by the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda), an organization for former political prisoners, marched from Bustillos Church to Don Chino Roces Bridge (formerly Mendiola Bridge) in Manila, demanding for the unconditional release of the 344 political prisoners in 67 jails and detention centers nationwide. The demand also came on the eve of the resumption of the GPH-NDFP formal peace negotiations, wherein among those still in detention are 14 consultants of the NDFP.(Photos by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-NCR / bulatlat.com)
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
They met at a time when the Philippines was awakening to a revolution that sought to empower the poor against their exploiters. He was a priest, she was a nun, and the time was 1971, a year before the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law.
A community of readers and supporters that help us sustain our operations through microdonations for as low as $1.