LUIS Jalandoni, the long-time chairman of the National Democratic Fronts’ peace negotiating panel, has resigned and been replaced by Fidel Agcaoili, the rebel organization announced on the eve of the start of the second round of formal talks with the government.
The NDF also announced the appointment of recently released consultant Benito Tiamzon as a member of the peace panel “in order to further strengthen” the body.
“The national leadership of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines has granted the long-standing request of Comrade Luis G. Jalandoni to resign as the chairperson of the NDFP Negotiating Panel,” the NDF said in a statement.
The group made its statement even as the farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said Filipino farmers will benefit the most from the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the NDF because the land problem is among the roots of the communist rebellion.
“It is in the best interest of the peasant masses if the peace talks arrive at substantial social and economic reforms, including an agreement on agrarian reform,” said KMP chairman Joseph Canlas.
Edre Olalia, the NDF’s chief legal counsel, said Jalandoni will be the NDF’s senior adviser in the peace negotiations following his retirement.
Jalandoni, a former priest who came from a landed family in Negros Occidental, had been chairman of the NDF peace panel since 1995 and was previously the NDF’s vice chairman for international affairs.
His wife Coni Ledesma, who also hails from a prominent Negros Occidental family and is a former nun, is also a peace panel member.