The Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) has renewed calls for the resumption of formal peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), urging both parties to address the “underlying root causes of the armed conflict.”
In a statement issued on Dec. 15, the PEPP emphasized the importance of peace during the Christmas season as the country begins the traditional simbang gabi on Dec. 16, a time that marks “the birth of a child that reigns as the Prince of Peace to the Christian faithful.”
“Since the Nov. 23, 2023 Joint Statement of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the NDFP was made public last year, there has been no official and categorical statement of a breakthrough from either or both parties,” the statement said. “Perhaps it is a time, more so, to pause for deeper reflection.”
The PEPP cited recent developments, particularly the statement from Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr. on Dec. 11, where he announced that “the crucial components of the peace agreement with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP) will be ready by the second half of 2025.”
However, the PEPP expressed concern about the ongoing conflict, saying, “Meanwhile the state of unpeace in our country continues.” They further highlighted data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), saying, “November saw the highest number of reported fatalities from clashes between the state forces and the NPA since June. More concerning are the reports of persisting grievous violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.”
The PEPP appealed for renewed efforts to overcome divisions. “May this season of hope inspire both parties to bring down the dividing wall of distrust and hostility so that they can engage in principled negotiations to resolve the decades-old armed conflict in the country.”
In light of the holiday season, the PEPP called for ceasefires from both parties “to declare respective ceasefires this Christmas season to allow for peaceful holiday celebrations.”
“We call upon the Filipino people from all walks of life to pray and work perseveringly for a just and lasting peace in our country – let the Prince of Peace reign in every heart, every home, every community,” the group added.
The PEPP serves as a platform for five major church institutions: the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (CMSP), the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), and the Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum (EBF).
