Ka artehan

Written January 7, 2017 "Every aspect of CASER is winnable," said Ka Ruben Saluta, a former political prisoner and current NDFP consultant. Walking into the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) office, I could feel the buzz in the air as people held back to back meetings preparing for the third round of the Peace Talks between the NDFP and the GRP to be held in Rome, Italy January 19-24th. Our delegation of exposurists from the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) Northern California were fortunate to be able to have an in depth discussion on the importance of the Peace Talks with NDFP consultants Ka Ruben along with Ka Reynante Gamara and Ka Loida Magpatok, also former political prisoners and current NDFP consultants. They explained that the peace talks goes hand in hand with the on going growth and strength of the people's movement. It is really the strength of the National Democratic revolutionary movement that allows for the Peace Talks to continue. They reiterated that just and lasting peace will be achieved primarily through the continued struggle for genuine land reform, national industrialization, and independence from imperialism while maintaining the New People's Army, the armed organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). In the third round of the peace talks, Comprehensive Agreements on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) will be one of the main topics of discussion to address the root causes of the armed conflict. There was truly a strong sense of hope and determination encompassing the discussion on the contents of the peace talks despite President Duterte's wavering promises and shifting perspectives. Hope that President Duterte would follow through with the immediate release of the remaining 400+ political prisoners. Determination in pushing for peace through CASER and the Political and Constitutional Reforms (PCR). They believe that peace can only be achieved by maintaining the revolutionary principles while simultaneously pushing forward the interests of the masses through the peace negotiations. So what does peace look like?What the Peace Talks has further exposed to the world outside of the Philippines is the fact that there are two governments in the Philippines. The Government Republic of the Philippines and the People's Democratic Government of the CPP. The NDFP consultants shared that peace has been realized and achieved in the stronghold revolutionary areas in which the Communist Party of the Philippines have established political power and a People's Democratic Government. This is where people's genuine rights are upheld, where the land is truly life for the people, where a people's government is established, social and economic sustainability is a reality, health and medical services are provided, and a people's militia for civil defense is established to maintain the peace. Their hope is to continue the peace talks to advance the people's agenda, however they understand that if the peace talks fail, the revolution will continue. Each step towards genuine peace is a step in the right direction.