Legarda Renews Support for Peace Talks on 25th Anniversary of The Hague Joint Declaration

Senator Loren Legarda today expressed anew her support for the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Legarda made the statement in line with the 25th Anniversary of The Hague Joint Declaration, which has been the guiding framework for the peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP since the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos.

"As someone who has been involved in negotiating releases of captives by the New People's Army (NPA) when I was a neophyte senator, I have seen the sincerity of all sides to this conflict and have witnessed the intense desire for peace," said Legarda, who actively participated in the safe releases of General Victor Obillo, Captain Eduardo Montealto, Sergeant Alpio Lozada, Major Roberto Bernal and then Major Noel Buan, among other military and police officials who were held captive by the NPA.

"We all desire for peace. We may have different views on how to pursue national development, but I believe we can find our common ground with the help of The Hague Joint Declaration," she added.

She explained that The Hague Joint Declaration states that the holding of peace negotiations must be in accordance with mutually acceptable principles, including national sovereignty, democracy and social justice.

Legarda, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, also assured that the national budget would support the NDFP's social agenda reform.

"Many of the items in the NDFP's social reform agenda can already be addressed through existing laws and programs. We also have several proposed measures in the Senate that would support these programs. We just have to pursue peace for the sake of the millions of Filipinos who will benefit from a peaceful and progressive nation," Legarda concluded.