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MANILA, Philippines Leftist members of Cabinet and some lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Tuesday appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider his stance over the peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in the wake of the militarys declaration of an all-out war against the New Peoples Army (NPA).

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made the pronouncement following President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to lift the government truce and suspend peace talks with the communist group.

In a joint statement, Secretaries Rafael V. Mariano (Department of Agrarian Reform), Judy M. Taguiwalo (Department of Social Welfare and Development), and Liza L. Maza (National Anti-Poverty Commission) reminded both parties in the peace negotiations to come to terms with the compelling reasons why (they) have come to the negotiating table in the first place which is, for the welfare of the poor Filipinos.

The three Cabinet members said We will continue to engage within the Cabinet and the rest of the administration towards the resumption of the talks and to strengthen the civilian voice in the peace process.

Gabriela Rep. Emmi De Jesus said an all-out war against communist rebels would only bring the Duterte administration back to square one, thwarting significant strides made in previous agreements such as the framework for the comprehensive agenda on socioeconomic reforms.

We express serious concern over (Defense) Secretary Delfin Lorenzanas statement as it is a signal fire for a repeat of the bloody counterinsurgency war of past administrations, said De Jesus.

Going full-throttle against perceived communists will only worsen the militarization of communities across the country and escalate the human rights violations on civilians, she added.

De Jesus said a militarist approach would further entrench the root causes of armed conflict.

It has brought unrest to communities, military occupation of Lumad schools, and displacement of thousands of families, the Gabriela lawmaker said.

De Jesus urged both panels to exhaust all options to go back to the negotiating table, saying what was most important at this point was the discussion of long-term solutions to the impoverishment of the Filipino people.

Bayan Muna Rep.Carlos Isagani Zarate, for his part, denounced the all-out war declaration, noting that the Philippine government-NDFP peace process is not yet officially terminated in accordance with signed and binding agreements.

Zarate was referring to the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees, which states that the peace talks can only be terminated upon the issuance of a written notice by one party to the other.

The said notice would take effect thirty days from its receipt.

Zarate reiterated his call for the President to give the quest for peace another chance by allowing both parties to iron out agreements for a bilateral ceasefire as well as socioeconomic, political and constitutional reforms.

Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman warned against the possibility of a martial law declaration, describing it as a perilous aspect of the recent development after the collapse of the peace talks.

It will not only abrogate the peace process but would also intensify the determination to declare martial law based on the all-out war against supposed rebels, Lagman said.

The 1987 Constitution specifies that the president could impose martial law for just 60 days and only to stop an invasion or a rebellion. Congress can revoke the measure within 48 hours while the Supreme Court can review its legality.

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Following is the joint statement of Secretaries Rafael V. Mariano (Department of Agrarian Reform), Judy M. Taguiwalo (Department of Social Welfare and Development), and Liza L. Maza (National Anti-Poverty Commission) on the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP):

As heads of national government agencies tasked to address poverty and improve the quality of life of the Filipino, we believe that the GRP should move the peace negotiations with the NDFP forward. The current agenda on the table, the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), is the most substantive agenda in the negotiations and is key to lasting peace and long-term poverty eradication. We are one with the peace advocates, legislators, and individuals who urge both parties to resume the talks. We will continue to engage within the Cabinet and the rest of the administration towards the resumption of the talks and to strengthen the civilian voice in the peace process.

After 15 years of impasse, the peace negotiations have made historic strides on many fronts. This time, by pursuing peace, and through the political will of President Duterte, the talks have been productive. The Government and the NDFP have never been closer in their articulation of a shared vision of a society that addresses the root causes of war poverty and inequality.

In the 3rd round of talks in Rome, both parties surpassed earlier expectations and were able to exchange initial views on their respective drafts of the CASER. They have reached a common understanding of the problems on the agrarian unrest in the country and have agreed in principle to the free distribution of land to farmers and farm workers. Both parties also reached a decision to accelerate the negotiation process through simultaneous discussions of technical working committees of the remaining substantive agenda, as the discussion on the CASER commences.

The Reciprocal Working Groups on Political and Constitutional Reforms (RWGs-PCR) were able to exchange views on the proposal to form a federal form of government and the need for safeguards and constitutional guarantees as demanded by the people.

Both parties were looking forward to meeting again in the fourth round of talks to flesh out these agreements and move to address the issues of land reform and rural development, national industrialization and economic growth, access to social services, patrimony and sovereignty.

While the government carries on with negotiating the agreements, the agencies under the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster are working on the direct, immediate and substantial benefits that are advantageous to the poor and the marginalized sectors of the society.

Recognizing the urgent need for genuine change, the President has made a commitment to lift nine million Filipinos out of poverty by the end of his term. The statement adds weight to the Government's work in implementing a genuine agrarian reform, building its industries, and promoting social welfare and development as an integral part of poverty alleviation.

The foremost concern of both parties in the peace negotiations is the interest of the Filipino people to address the roots of poverty and achieve a just and lasting peace. It is unfortunate that the talks have now come to a standstill.Let each side come to terms with the compelling reasons why we have come to the negotiating table in the first place. For it is the welfare of the poor Filipinos, in the millions, that is at the core of the peace negotiations. Let us give just and lasting peace a chance. Continue the GRP-NDF peace talks and pursue socio-economic and political reforms for the people.

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Give peace a chance, not 'all-out' war, say solons, Leftist Cabinet members - InterAksyon