OPPAP: Gov’t holds talks informal talks with reds

“Our team is now in Europe and we are informed that there are initial positive results so far,” Dureza said  (Photo By RENE LUMAWAG/Presidential Photo)

In pursuit of peace, the government is now having informal backchannel negotiations with the communist rebels in Europe, for the possible resumption of the peace talks, according to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP).

According to OPPAP’s statement, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary and the tasked chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III informed President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during their Cabinet meeting on May 7, Monday that “his clear directives are being relayed across the table and are now the subject of discussions in the ongoing meetings.”

“Our team is now in Europe and we are informed that there are initial positive results so far,” Dureza said.

Meanwhile, Bello added, “We are doing our best to meet the deadline set by the President about the resumption of talks within 60 days.”

In late April, Duterte invited the National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ (NDFP’s) Chief Political Consultant Jose Maria “Joma” Sison, who has been exiled in the Netherlands, to come to the Philippines for the peace talks.

“I created a small window – 60 days. My proposal to Sison, I will not go there.

We’re fighting for the Philippines, so you come here,” the President said and even offered to pay for Sison’s fare, billeting, and food.

“Take advantage of that 60 days. If it succeeds, then I would like to thank God first and the Filipino people and the military and the police for their understanding,” Duterte added.

Sison responded to Duterte saying that he will return when there is a “significant advancement in the peace negotiations.”

“In response, I declare that I will certainly return home when a significant advance in the peace negotiations has been achieved within the framework of The Hague Joint Declaration and when my comrades and lawyers are satisfied with legal and security precautions,” Sison said in a statement on April 23.

He also thanked Duterte’s ‘expressed wish of his homecoming and assured hospitality and guarantees of safety.’