CBCP declines request to mediate gov’t-NDFP talks

MANILA, Philippines – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that it cannot act as a mediator in the dialogue between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), saying that the role “cannot be part” of their mandate at present.

In a statement released Sunday, November 9, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the CBCP, said that there has been a request to mediate in the dialogue between the two sides, but did not specify which side made the request.

“The CBCP for its part categorically states that it cannot take in the role of initiating, convening, mediating or presiding over a dialogue between the National Democratic Front and government representatives,” the statement, signed for release on Monday, November 10, stated.

“We are of the firm persuasion that under the present circumstances, this cannot be part of our ecclesial mandate as an episcopal conference,” the group said.

CBCP’s Sunday statement is an indication that informal talks between the government and the NDFP are underway after formal negotiations collapsed over the past year. 

The CBCP said that despite the NDFP being the umbrella organization and the CPP-NPA being under them, there is “trepidation” because “we are not sure about the degree of cohesiveness that exists between the top echelons of the Front and local cadres of the New People’s Army.” (READ: Joma wants peace, the ‘ground’ doesn’t – Padilla)

This is evident, CBCP said, in what they called as “belated” acknowledgment by the NDF leadership of raids and attacks carried out by local fronts. (READ: ‘Communist army irrelevant in 5 years’) 

Another factor the CBCP cited was the lack of substantial outcomes of “prolonged and expensive” negotiations between the two sides. Instead, the ceasefires that came with these talks were used by the rebels to “recruit membership.”

The church group said rebels who hold safe-conduct passes should use it as part of their work in negotiations, and not to recruit members into their fold. (READ: Gov’t asked to stop arresting ‘Jasig holders’)

“Truth and justice are therefore its primary and non-negotiable guideposts, and when it does not find these present, or when, in its discernment, made in prayer and docility to the prompting of the Spirit, it does not find a disposition to sincerity and trustworthiness in the parties to the dialogue, the CBCP will not lend itself to a fruitless exercise or to a charade visited on the entire country,” the CBCP statement said.

Despite saying no, the statement said they are continuing to pay for a peaceful resolution to the country’s insurgency problem.

“We encourage qualified lay persons to contribute to the dialogue and to foster that spirit of openness and sincerity that alone can make negotiations promising,” the statement added.

Peace talks between the government and the NDFP have stalled in recent months. Initially revived in 2010 under the current administration, talks hit a roadblock in February 2013, with government representatives saying they had lost interest unless the CPP agreed to a new framework. (READ: PH: Peace talks with NDF a failure) – Rappler.com