MANILA – The Duterte administration will push through with localized peace talks with rebels even though Jose Maria Sison said the Communist Party of the Philippines are to go back to the negotiation table, the government’s chief peace negotiator said.
Silvestre Bello III, also the secretary of Labor, said on Sunday they were just waiting for President Rodrigo Duterte to sign an executive order that will begin localized negotiations.
Sison, founding chairman of the CPP, had said he was leaving the resumption of the peace talks up to Duterte, who has softened his stance against rebels in a speech last Friday.
“It’s a good development,” Bello told cable news channel ANC.
“However, you have to remember that our President already decided that in the meantime we will try the other track of the peace negotiations, which is the localized peace talks,” he said.
Sison had explained that the standing policy of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines is to negotiate with the government anytime Duterte is ready to resume the talks.
Talks between the government and the rebels broke down last year as the administration cited continued attacks by the New People’s Army against state troops despite ongoing negotiations.
The administration also suspended supposed backchannel talks citing the need for further consultation.
According to Bello, the resumption of the backchannel talks will depend on the President’s mandate.
“We are waiting for the executive order that will mandate the conduct of localized peace talks,” Bello said. (ABS-CBN News)
