Gov‘t peace talks with CPP-NPA-NDF set for July

Among the issues tackled by the group were the general amnesty proclamation that would be released by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, the release of political prisoners and the resumption of peace talks on July.

Luis Jalandoni, NDF chief negotiator, said the document is a significant step forward in the efforts to resume peace talks with the government.

“Napakahalaga dahil ito ay response na rin ng kilusan, ng Pilipinas yung CPP-NPA-NDF sa initiative ni President-elect Duterte. So, nandyan yung rebolusyonaryong kilusan na handa makipagalyansa, makipagtulungan sa 

pamamagitan ng peace negotiations para sa release ng maraming political prisoners mga 500 plus, at saka NDF consultants mga 20,” he told GMA News in Tima's Facebook Live post early Thursday morning.

“At umpisa ulit ng peace negotiations based on the past agreements such as the Hague joint declaration. Mahalaga ito na pakita na may mataas na hangarin na magkaroon resolution ng roots ng armed conflict at maka abot ng isang resolusyon kagaya ng land reform, national industrialization, national sovereignty,” he added.

In a separate interview, CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison said that it is through the initial talks with the 

group led by incoming Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and incoming Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III that paved the way to the resumption of formal peace talks with the Philippine government on July.

“Ang kabutihan nitong preliminary talks, na-explore namin, nakita namin ang easy points and difficult points. kaya sa susunod, may paghahanda na paano malutas ang anumang problema,” he added.

Jalandoni said there were thorny issues discussed during the initial talks that were also resolved include the formulation of the general amnesty proclamation, the release of prisoners and ceasefire.

“Kailangan may mode of ceasefire na pag-uusapan pa sa Pilipinas sa July at saka sa susunod pa,” he said.

Jalandoni also underscored that the ceasefire agreement is important, “so the atmosphere for peace talks ma-improve at saka mapalaya ang maraming political prisoners.”

Meanwhile, Sison added that before the formal talks resume, it was agreed that 20 political consultants will be released so they can participate in the formal peace talks.