REBOLUSYONARYONG PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA-PILIPINAS (RPM–P)
OFFICE OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
CAMP ARIEL, PHILIPPINES
DECEMBER 21, 1999
DECLARATION TO OPEN PEACE TALKS WITH THE GOVERNMENT
The RPM-P/RPA-ABB, taking to heart the paramount interest of the working masses for a peaceful and prosperous life under conditions of a just society, announces its intention to meet the Estrada government’s initiative for a peaceful settlement of the armed conflict between us. There is no better time than this season of observance of hope and peace to give peaceful negotiations a chance.
We believe that the emancipation of the deprived and oppressed masses can only be effected with their decision and mass participation. Nevertheless, the RPM-P/ RPA-ABB has launched armed struggle in the past years in the pursuit of our avowed duty to fight for the interest and protect the masses of the working people. Extreme exploitation and oppression have deprived them of their basic human right to live decently and causes the extreme poverty and misery of the people. Even after the EDSA uprising no substantial change has been made.
We are fully aware of the Estrada administration’s professed vow and measures to address the worsening poverty of our people. From our end, we see and feel that the masses urgently need immediate and concrete solutions to their economic difficulties in the face of the recent economic developments under globalization.
Even as we desire no less than social justice and total emancipation of the toiling masses, we are willing to enter into negotiations with Estrada administration on the possibilities of reaching a common agreement to resolve the issues surrounding the cause of our armed conflict. We intend to pursue this in order to work out concrete steps to define immediate answers to problems besetting the masses.
We hope to attain success in this endeavor for the overwhelming interest of the Filipino masses and the minority nationalities in the country for a just and lasting peace!
For the Central Committee,
ANDRES NAVA
Chairperson, RPMP