NDFP losing patience with PNoy

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Posted at 11/15/2011 9:49 AM | Updated as of 11/15/2011 1:32 PM

The National Democratic Front Panel is losing patience at the "continued snobbery" of the government of President Benigno Aquino III to its demands in order for the stalled peace negotiations to resume.

"There is an ongoing civil war in the Philippines and it will not stop. The revolutionary movement will continue their armed struggle if there will be no remedy to the NDFP's listed 10 impediments or problems in its peace negotiations with the Government of the Philippines or GPH."

Such were the words of CPP Founding Chair Jose Maria Sison when interviewed by ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau after the press conference at the NDF Headquarters in Utrecht.

The NDFP said it is growing impatient because the GPH remains aloof towards the resumption of peace talks.

Now taking the offensive, the NDFP presented on Monday the prominent international lawyers who will make up its newly formed International Legal Advisory Team or ILAT.

ILAT's mission will be to provide exclusive and confidential pro-bono counsel and assistance to NDFP in matters of law arising from and/or related to the peace negotiations.

The NDFP said it doesn't aim to intimidate the GPH with the formation of ILAT.

"Hindi naman takutin. Pakita na maraming suporta kaya mga prestigious international law experts ito from different countries na they are willing to provide legal assistance. At lumalawak ang solidarity for the Filipino people at for the National Democratic Front all over the world. Pati sa Canada, sa U.S., sa New Zealand, yung trade unions have spoken up for the advance of the peace talks and against the obstacles being put by the government of the Philippines," NDFP chair Luis Jalandoni said.

The press conference gained a lot of interest from the international media and local press in the Philippines as well who joined the video conference.

According to ILAT, the Philippine government's refusal to sit on the negotiating table is a major violation of the human rights of Filipinos.

"The government claims to represent the Filipino people, claims to be elected by the Filipino people, said in public that it intends to negotiate in good faith with the NDFP. Now if it seeks to walk away from the negotiating table then it's betraying itself and it betrays the people it represents," ILAT member and U.K. lawyer Richard Harvey said.

Sison said that soon, the Filipinos will explode just like in the major protests, where the "Occupy Movements" worldwide are rooted because the situation in the Philippines now is grave.

"Kasi ang sistemang naghahari sa Pilipinas, manghihina. Lalo na ngayon yung sistemang capital sa buong daigdig nanghihina. Alam mo naman ang Pilipinas eh lulutang dahil sa pautang pero pag nahirapan nang mangutang tapos yung mga remittance kukulangin na dahil ang mga gobyerno ng bansang nasa krisis yung pag-intake nila ng overseas contract workers hihina..." Sison explained.

Until now, the NDFP is still waiting for the release of its 17 political consultants who are protected under the JASIG agreement.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/15/11/ndfp-losing-patience-pnoy