MANILA, March 13 – Malacanang official said the Palace welcomes the announcement on the resumption of formal peace talks between the Philippine Government and the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF).
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said “The Palace welcomes the announcement of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza in Utrecht, The Netherlands, on the resumption of formal peace talks between the Philippine government and the Communist Party of the Philippines/ New People’s Army / National Democratic Front ( CPP/NPA/ NDF).”
Abella added, “We remain hopeful that the leadership of the CPP/NPA/NDF can rein in its forces on the ground in reciprocating the efforts of the Duterte administration to move the peace process forward.”
The Spokesperson said, “Peace-building, after all, is not the exclusive responsibility of the government. The burden is also shared by those who claim to speak for the underserved.”
“The resumption of the Peace Talks is a welcome sign that both sides are in agreement about the common good of the Filipino people,” the statement concluded.
The peace process between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) is back on track, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza announced Sunday from Utrecht, The Netherlands, where backchannel talks were held March 10 and 11.
“I am pleased to announce that the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Communist Party of the Philippines/ New People’s Army / National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/ NDF) which broke down weeks ago, are now back on track again,” Dureza said in a five-paragraph statement he posted on his Facebook wall. (PIA)
