Philippine communist rebels waging one of Asia’s longest insurgencies said yesterday a peace pact was likely not achievable before 2019, in a blow to the government’s hopes of securing a deal this year.
Ahead of fresh peace talks starting in Italy tomorrow, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines also warned that forces on the ground were urging an end to a ceasefire as they became frustrated with the government’s “broken promises”.
“The NDFP goes into the third round of formal talks in Rome determined as always to persevere with the peace talks but increasingly troubled by the other party’s sincerity,” the communists’ chief negotiator, Fidel Agcaoili, said in a statement.
The communists have been waging their “national democratic revolution” since 1968 to overthrow a capitalist system that has created one of Asia’s biggest rich-poor divides.
At least 30,000 people have died in the conflict, according to the military.
President Rodrigo Duterte, who describes himself as a socialist, has made ending the rebellion one of his top priorities.
He launched the peace process soon after he took office in June last year and installed three communists in his cabinet.
Both sides agreed to a temporary ceasefire during the first round of talks in Norway last August.
The government said then it was aiming for a final peace deal within 12 months.
But Agcaoili said the communists would need at least two more years after negotiators agreed on a series of economic and political reforms before even beginning “serious discussions” on a final peace pact.
Those economic and political reforms have yet to be agreed, and are meant to be discussed in Rome.
Meanwhile, familiar grievances that derailed peace efforts under previous Philippine presidents appear to have returned to haunt the current negotiations. The communists have long demanded that hundreds of jailed communists be released before they will consider making major concessions in peace talks.
Duterte released 18 top leaders to kickstart the peace process but the communists are demanding another 434 rebels be freed immediately.
Duterte said last month he did not want to release the rebels straight away, describing the negotiations as a “poker game”.
“My aces are in prison,” he said, referring to the jailed communists. “If I released them all my cards would lost.
There would be nothing else to talk about.”
The government’s chief negotiator, Silvestre Bello, gave a more upbeat assessment of the peace process when contacted by AFP yesterday for reaction to Agcaoili’s statement.
He said the government was still sticking to its timeframe to secure a peace deal of between nine and 12 months from the start of the talks in August last year.
Bello said he had told the communists it was to their advantage not to delay, or they would risk not being able to finalise a peace pact before Duterte’s six-year term ends in 2022.
Agcaoili said the prospect of a permanent ceasefire was “growing dim” because of the prisoner issue.
He also accused security forces of violating the current temporary ceasefire.
But Bello said he would still push at the Rome talks, which will last until January 25, for agreement on a permanent ceasefire.
“The prisoners issue has no bearing on the signing of a bilateral ceasefire,” Bello said.
The government estimates the rebels’ armed wing the New People’s Army has about 4,000 fighters, down from a peak of 26,000 in the 1980s.
But they remain particularly active in rural areas of the archipelago, where they are well known for extorting money from local businesses.
Their regular deadly attacks on police and military forces also occasionally reach into urban areas.


Agcaoili: delayed prospects for peace?


Miss Universe contestants receive grand welcome


By Tessa Mauricio-Arriola
Manila Times




It was truly an evening of beauty and grace at the Miss Universe Governor’s Ball on Monday night as 86 candidates to 65th pageant gathered for their official welcome to the Philippines at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay, with organisation president Paula Shugart expressing deep admiration and appreciation for the nation.
Responding to the welcome speeches of former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson and his son incumbent provincial chief Ryan Singson (whose family’s LCS Group is privately funding and producing the international event in the Philippines); as well as those of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo and SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc president Edgar Tejero, Shugart said: “To all our contestants, enjoy every moment to participate in Miss Universe (not only because)it is a life-changing experience (but because) you are doubly blessed to be here in the Philippines, home to our greatest fans and the kindest people you will ever meet—it is such a pleasure to be here.”
Shortly after, the now famous Filipina, who won the crown in describing herself as “confidently beautiful with a heart,” had her much-awaited moment on stage. Stunning in a gown made of delicate black lace, and in full Miss Universe regalia, she delivered an impromptu speech, expressing thanks for her dream come true.
“Two things that I love—the Philippines and Miss Universe—are coming together right here, right now and on January 30 we will crown the new Miss Universe.”
Pia Wurtzbach shared how she learned after winning the pageant that Shugart had also wanted to hold the contest in the Philippines again after 22 years. “I asked her how do we get the ball rolling, and she said, ‘Why don’t you throw the idea out there and some people might take an interest in it and we can make it possible.” “I’m really proud it’s happening here. I can’t think of a better way to end my reign as Miss Universe.”
Wurtzbach drew laughter from the well-heeled crowd, when after saying she hopes the next Miss Universe is ready to inspire the world and carry on the organisation’s advocacy, she teased, “We have 86 of the most beautiful women here from all around the world, and I know these girls—I can feel them looking at me, looking at the crown!”
Enjoining the public to support the rest of pre-pageant activities, the beauty queen finally said, “Let’s show the world that it is indeed more fun in the Philippines.”
The Governor’s Ball, obviously named after Singson, was designed as an exclusive gala to provide an opportunity for “members of high society… to have a close encounter” with the candidates of the 65th Miss Universe. 
The event saw a mix of government officials, business leaders including Kazuo Okada, San Miguel Corp.’s Ramon Ang and Century Properties’ Jose Antonio; the Philippines’ Miss Universe queens Gloria Diaz (1969) and Margie Moran (1973); generations of Binibining Pilipinas winners led by MJ Lastimosa (2014); and showbiz celebrities Gretchen Barretto, Dawn Zulueta and Alice Dixson. Over a sit-down dinner served by Via Mare, musical numbers were provided by the multi-awarded Madrigal Singers, and OPM artists Jed Madella, Radah, Frenchie Dy, and power belter Jona Viray, who ended the night with the 65th Miss Universe theme song, “Confidently Beautiful.”
The Governor’s Ball also served as a fund-raising event—with a P25,000 per plate ticket—for the projects of Pass It Forward (PIF), a philanthropic outfit that acts like a charitable “market place,” facilitating engagement between givers (individuals, corporations and foundations) and receivers (charities). The organisation was represented by PIF Managing Director Terry Alan Farris.


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