TIMELINE: 1st round of talks between PH gov't, communist rebels
PANEL MEETING. Negotiators from the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines buckle down to work
OSLO, Norway (Updated) – The Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) are in Olso for the resumption of formal negotiations for a peace agreement that will end Asia's longest running insurgency.
This page is regularly updated with stories and information from Oslo. The latest developments will appear first.
August 26, 2016
The Philippine government and communist rebels signed a joint statement on the resumption of formal talks that will silence guns for an indefinite period while they continue talks to end Asia's longest-running communist insurgency. (DOCUMENT: PH, NDF joint statement on the resumption of formal talks)
The second round of talks will be held October 8-12.
August 25, 2016
The negotiating teams had a boodle fight Thursday evening to celebrate the successful first round of talks in Oslo following an impasse of 5 years since 2011.
Boodle fight! Representatives of Philippine gov't, communist rebels celebrate successful 1st round of talks in Oslo pic.twitter.com/4kfptbX4w5
— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) August 25, 2016
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The first round of talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) ended Thursday afternoon, August 25, with an agreement to seek amnesty for all political prisoners and to separately declare indefinite unilateral ceasefires.
VIDEO: Initialing of agreements in Oslo @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/SEhrGyN9pL
— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) August 25, 2016
PH gov't chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III on amnesty and ceasefire agreements @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/F0LYkvqS7z
— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) August 25, 2016
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August 24, 2016
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison told Rappler that the New People's Army (NPA), the party's armed wing, will extend the existing 7-day ceasefire to a "much longer duration." The timeframe has yet to be finalized.
CPP to extend ceasefire beyond 7 days - Joma https://t.co/Q5rdcONtlq @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/ADw2p8bKCr
— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) August 24, 2016
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The Norwegian government toured the two panels to some sights within Oslo, including the City Hall where the awarding ceremonies for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize is awarded.
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Panel-to-panel meeting resumed before 11am in Oslo (5pm in Manila). They are expected to discuss, among others, the modes of ceasefire. A limited ceasefire is currently in place to cover only the duration of the peace negotiations.
August 23, 2016
The panels agreed to affirm previously signed agreements, reconstitute the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), and accelerate of the agenda items to be handled by the reciprocal working groups.
Secretary Jesus Dureza on Day 2 of Oslo talks: "So far so good." pic.twitter.com/PCY9V2nLWI
— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) August 23, 2016
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Six more political prisoners arrive in Oslo to join the peace talks: Concha Araneta Bocala, Afredo Mapano, Randy Malayao, Kennedy Mangibang, Eduardo Genelsa, and Ariel Arbitrario. They were tagged by the Philippine military as regional commanders of the New People's Army (NPA).
6 more political prisoners arrive in Oslo to join talks #OsloTalks @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/NkjQcNCR3I
— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) August 23, 2016
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The first panel-to-panel meeting was held Tuesday morning.
Meet the members of the government negotiating panel #OsloTalks pic.twitter.com/96EkLv9ABv
— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) August 23, 2016
Meet the members of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/m7DYlXB8ew
— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) August 23, 2016
August 22, 2016
The Filipino community in Oslo came to visit the government panel to bring them Filipino food.
The Filipino community in Oslo is always supportive of peace talks between PH govt and CPP @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/Wvz08eN8Jd
— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) August 22, 2016
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Euphoria is palpable at the opening of peace negotiations. Senior communist rebels were all smiles – hugging each other and celebrating the presence of their comrades from prison and the underground. Among them are biggest names in the movement based on military records – Benito Tiamzon, Alan Jazmines, and Rafael Baylosis. (READ: Warriors, negotiators: Optimism on Day 1 of Oslo talks)
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The government declared it wants to complete the process within one year, but the NDF could not commit to the timeline.
Government peace panel chair Silvestre Bello on timeline of Oslo talks pic.twitter.com/qROpkyU0JO
— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) August 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/carmelafonbuena/status/767673546004987905
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Talks between the government and the NDF formally resume in an opening ceremony held at the Nobel room in Oslo's Scandic Holmenkollen.
PH hopes for peace deal in a year as NDF talks resume via @rapplerdotcom https://t.co/iXvzOyTptm
— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) August 22, 2016
CPP founder Joma on timeline of peace talks pic.twitter.com/vvELGQjwxo
— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) August 22, 2016
August 21, 2016
After 30 long years and all the highs and lows of running a revolution, top communist leaders Jose Maria "Joma" Sison and Benito Tiamzon were reunited on Sunday, August 21, on the eve of the historic resumption of formal talks between the government and the guerrillas.
Historic! Top CPP leaders Joma Sison, couple Benito & Wilma Tiamzon reunite in Oslo after 30 years @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/BDYJKFmprb
— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) August 21, 2016
– Rappler.com
