I welcome the statement of Mr. Luis Jalandoni on the readiness of the National Democratic Front to sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the government even before the release of the political prisoners.
The willingness of the NDF to sign the bilateral ceasefire agreement is indeed a welcome development as this bodes well to a positive atmosphere when we meet again for the third round of talks in January.
A bilateral ceasefire would not only benefit the combatants but the people who are caught in the crossfire of this armed conflict.
The GRP panel further recognizes the NDF’s efforts to work with us to attain peace. Its declaration of an indefinite unilateral ceasefire in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration in August is unprecedented and historic. Agreeing to a bilateral ceasefire is another milestone in the peace process.
Both panels have never set preconditions since the start of the negotiations under this administration. Despite the challenges, we continue to struggle to make peace happen for the country and the Filipino people.
Rest assured that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte remains committed to the release of a substantial number of political prisoners. The President has already shown time and again that he delivers on his word.
Forging a bilateral ceasefire agreement is the best gift the government and the NDF can give to the Filipino people this holiday season. May this lead to the permanent end of hostilities for the new year leading to a just and lasting peace. ###
President Rodrigo Duterte has given instructions to Labor Secretary and government chief peace negotiator Silvestre ‘Bebot’ Bello III and panel member Angela Librado-Trinidad to produce a signed bilateral ceasefire agreement before he will order a substantial release of detained communist rebels.
“Produce to me a signed bilateral ceasefire agreement and I will release them within 48 hours. You can take my word for it,” Bello quoted the president as saying.
The president later told Malacanang Palace employees that the government has already conceded far enough to the National Democratic Front.
But he also promised to release a number of elderly and sick detained rebels before Christmas Day.
“The president told us that once he receives even just a facsimile copy of the signed agreement, he will immediately order the release of communist rebels,” Bello likewise said.
Bello and Librado sought instructions from Malacanang after the president met with top rebel leaders Benito and William Tiamzon in Davao City on Friday evening.
In that meeting, the president said he would keep his campaign promise to release detained communist rebels.
The president, however, gave his latest instructions during the break of the cabinet meeting at the Palace Monday evening.
The government panel holding peace talks with the NDF has submitted a list of 200 prisoners who are eligible for release under the new guidelines of the Presidential Committee on Bail, Recognizance and Parole (PCBREP).
Twenty-five (25) of them are elderly, sick and women.
The NDF claimed 434 rebels are still being held in different detentions all over the country.
Four rebels convicted for murder and kidnapping were already given presidential pardon as announced by the Secretary Bello Friday last week.
They were identified as Martin Villanueva, Bonifacio Suyon, Dindo Absalon and Rico Bodina. They have served sentence ranging from 18 to 26 years. All are farmers.
Ceasefire
Although both the government and the NDF have declared their own unilateral ceasefires, the two camps have been complaining of reports of violations from the field.
But Bello said until both panels agree to a set of guidelines, “there are technically no violations.”
The labor secretary said it is to the best interest of combatants from both sides and especially the civilians caught in the middle of the armed conflict that a “formal ceasefire is in place so that we can monitor any claims of violations.”
“Remember, one life saved is one more happy family,” the government chief negotiator said.
During the formal opening round of the peace negotiations, both the GRP and NDF panels agreed to submit drafts on bilateral ceasefire.
But the NDF later said the ceasefire is tied to the release of ‘political prisoners’.
President Duterte earlier ordered the release of 21 rebel leaders who now are acting as consultants of the NDF panel holding peace talks with the government.
The president made a campaign promise to reopen peace negotiations with the NDF, which is representing the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA).
The Philippine government and the NDF will resume formal peace talks in January, possibly in Rome, Italy.
“The weather is a bit better in Rome than in Oslo, Norway,” Bello cited the reason for the change of talks’ venue.
The first two rounds of formal peace negotiations with the NDF under the Duterte administration were held in Norway whose government is facilitating the talks to put an end to nearly 50 years of armed rebellion in the Philippines.
The guerrilla war being waged by the CPP-NPA-NDF is now Asia’s longest running active insurgency movement. ###
Earnest efforts have been ongoing on the releases of prisoners. But necessary legal processes take a while as cases are within the jurisdiction of the judiciary, an independent & co-equal branch.
We understand their angst and impatience but we are all forgetting that these efforts were never possible nor even imaginable in the previous times. It is only in the Duterte administration that these releases are all happening.
We are appalled why some sectors are now even publicly attacking government for "not delivering enough" and for the perceived delay. Those mass actions and media attacks serve as good reminders for us in government that we need to do more. But putting undue public pressure on the government which has already taken unprecedented steps may not yield their intended results.
President Duterte has exercised bold political will to quickly resuscitate the peace process from where it was. And he does so also mindful that there is a need to balance things taking into account the processes that must be observed and the whole citizenry that he must also engage and serve.
As the President always says and does, this administration will walk the extra mile for peace. Yes, let's all be in a hurry but let's all keep the pace and be in step with him so we don't stumble.
JESS DUREZA
Secretary
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
On behalf of the Philippine National AIDS Council, the PNAC Secretariat announces its extension on their invitation for NGO membership to the Council. Requirements for membership are as follows:
1. Must have at least three (3) years experience of working productively for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS within their respective sector
2. HIV and AIDS-related programmes and projects indicate potentials for national replicability
3. Must not have derogatory record
4. Must not be in default in liquidating any funds received from any of the Government Agencies and other external partners
5. Must be duly registered with the Security and Exchange Commission; In the case of labor organizations, they must be registered with the Bureau of Labor Relations of the Department of Labor and Employment as legitimate labor organizations.
Please submit application letter and requirements to Ms. Emily Jane Concepcion, Administrative Assistant II, at 3rd Floor, Building 15, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta Cruz, Manila on or before December 16, 2016. Requirements includes:
1) Company profile
2) List of projects,
3) Notarized Sworn Statement, and
4) Updated Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) certificate of registration.
For any queries with regards to this matter, you may reach us at phone numbers (02) 651-78-00 extension 2550 and 2551, direct line (02) 651-78-17 and email pnacsecretariat@doh.gov.ph.
The Commission on Elections is now gearing up for the continuation of the voters’ registration period on November 7. Section 8 of The Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 provides for the system of continuing registration of voters. According to the law, the personal filing of application of registration of voters shall be conducted daily in the office of the Election Officer during regular office hours. No registration shall, however, be conducted during the period starting one hundred twenty (120) days before a regular election and ninety (90) days before a special election.
Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10166 promulgated on October 25, 2016, the Comelec will conduct the registration period for the 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from November 7, 2016 to April 29, 2017 including Saturdays and Holidays except on December 24 and 25, 2016 and April 13 and 14, 2017.
“We will have a longer registration period to ensure wider voters’ participation. We are expecting more than 55 million voters for next year’s elections, with the inclusion of SK voters aged 15-17 years old,” Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said.
According to the estimate of the Comelec, there will be over 1 million more voters for the 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections than the 2016 presidential elections. Around 54 million voters registered for the May 2016 National and Local elections. 3,095,187 registered for the Barangay and SK elections.
“We can now formally begin our preparations for the 2017 elections now that the bill on the postponement of the 2016 elections has been signed into law,” Jimenez added.
The law on the postponement of the 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections was approved by President Duterte on October 15, 2016. ###
The Commission on Elections is now gearing up for the continuation of the voters’ registration period on November 7. Section 8 of The Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 provides for the system of continuing registration of voters. According to the law, the personal filing of application of registration of voters shall be conducted daily in the office of the Election Officer during regular office hours. No registration shall, however, be conducted during the period starting one hundred twenty (120) days before a regular election and ninety (90) days before a special election.
Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10166 promulgated on October 25, 2016, the Comelec will conduct the registration period for the 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from November 7, 2016 to April 29, 2017 including Saturdays and Holidays except on December 24 and 25, 2016 and April 13 and 14, 2017.
“We will have a longer registration period to ensure wider voters’ participation. We are expecting more than 55 million voters for next year’s elections, with the inclusion of SK voters aged 15-17 years old,” Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said.
According to the estimate of the Comelec, there will be over 1 million more voters for the 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections than the 2016 presidential elections. Around 54 million voters registered for the May 2016 National and Local elections. 3,095,187 registered for the Barangay and SK elections.
“We can now formally begin our preparations for the 2017 elections now that the bill on the postponement of the 2016 elections has been signed into law,” Jimenez added.
The law on the postponement of the 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections was approved by President Duterte on October 15, 2016. ###
ISSUED AT 5:00 AM, 15 October 2016 (Valid for broadcast until the next bulletin to be issued at 11 AM today)
"KAREN" INTENSIFIED FURTHER AND CONTINUES TO THREATEN THE PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AS IT MOVES CLOSER TOWARDS THE AREA..
•Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 500 km diameter of the typhoon. •Possible occurrence of storm surges along the coastal communities of areas with TCWS #3 and #2 and flashfloods and landslides over all areas with TCWSs. •Expected to pass close to Polillo Island tomorrow early morning and make landfall over the Quezon-Aurora area later before noon. •Possible inclusion of Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province and Kalinga to areas with TCWS #1 this afternoon. •Fisherfolks and those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboard of Eastern Samar.
Location of eye/center: At 4:00 AM today, the eye of Typhoon "KAREN" was located based on all available data including Virac Doppler Radar data at 125 km Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes(14.3°N, 125.1°E).
Strength: Maximum sustained winds of up to 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 180 kph.
Forecast Movement: Forecast to move West Northwest at 13 kph.
Forecast Positions: •24 Hour( Tomorrow morning): 90 km Northeast of Infanta, Quezon •48 Hour(Monday morning):340 km West Northwest of Iba, Zambales •72 Hour(Tuesday morning): 915 km West of Sinait, Ilocos Sur (OUTSIDE PAR) •96 Hour(Wednesday morning):1,425 km West of Sinait, Ilocos Sur (OUTSIDE PAR) •120 Hour(Thursday morning):1,755 km West of Sinait, Ilocos Sur (OUTSIDE PAR)
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNAL TCWS 3(121-170 kph Expected in 18 hours): Catanduanes
•Heavy damage to high–risk structures; •Moderate damage to medium-risk structures; •Light damage to low risk structures •Increasing damage (up to more than 50%) to old, dilapidated residential structures and houses of light materials. Majority of all nipa and cogon houses may be unroofed or destroyed •Houses of medium strength materials (old, timber or mixed timber-CHB structures, usually with G.I. roofing’s); some warehouses or bodega-type structures are unroofed. •There may be widespread disruption of electrical power and communication services. •Almost all banana plants are downed. •Some big trees (acacia, mango, etc.) are broken or uprooted. •Dwarf-type or hybrid coconut trees are tilted or downed. •Rice and corn crops may suffer heavy losses. •Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off; some large trees blown down.
Wave Height: (Open Sea) > 14.0 meters Storm surge possible at coastal areas
TCWS 2 (61-120 kph Expected in 24 hours):Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Aurora and Northern Quezon including Polillo Island.
• Light to Moderate damage to high risk structures; • Very light to light damage to medium-risk structures; • No damage to very light damage to low risk structures • Unshielded, old dilapidated schoolhouses, makeshift shanties, and other structures of light materials are partially damaged or unroofed. • A number of nipa and cogon houses may be partially or totally unroofed. • Some old galvanized iron (G.I.) roofs may be peeled or blown off. • Some wooden, old electric posts are tilted or downed. • Some damage to poorly constructed signs/billboards • In general, the winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed communities. Most banana plants, a few mango trees, ipil-ipil and similar types of trees are downed or broken. • Some coconut trees may be tilted with few others broken. • Rice and corn may be adversely affected. • Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some heavy-foliaged trees blown down.
Wave Height: (Open Sea) 4.1-14.0 meters Storm surge possible at coastal areas
TCWS 1 (30-60 kph Expected in 36 hours): Luzon: Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate icluding Ticao and Burias Island, Rest of Quezon, Isabela, Romblon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, La Union, Benguet and Ifugao
Visayas: Northern Samar
Impacts of the wind: •Very light or no damage to low risk structures, •Light damage to medium to high risk structures •Slight damage to some houses of very light materials or makeshift structures in exposed communities. Some banana plants are tilted, a few downed and leaves are generally damaged •Twigs of small trees may be broken. •Rice crops, however, may suffer significant damage when it is in its flowering stage.
Wave Height: (Open Sea) 1.25-4.0 meters
The public and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next weather bulletin to be issued at 11AM today.
