Dureza downplays Joma’s criticisms on stalled peace talks
Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza (right), Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III (second from right) , shake hands with Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison (left) and Fidel Agcaoili (center) of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines after they sign an agreement in Rome, Italy, that would be the basis for future talks on socio-economic reforms. File photo from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza downplayed Jose Ma. Sison’s criticisms that the Duterte administration is not sincerely interested in resuming the peace talks with communist rebels.
“Each one is entitled to his opinion,” Dureza said when asked to comment on the claims of the founding chairperson of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
“My usual response: He is entitled to his own opinion and we respect it,” he said in a text message to reporters on Friday.
Sison claimed he was disappointed and exasperated” after President Rodrigo Duterte said the government needed more time before resuming the peace talks, which were supposed to take place on June 28.
In a succeeding press briefing earlier this week, Dureza said government negotiators were told to first consult the “bigger peace table” involving the public.
READ: Dureza on stymied peace talks: It can win public goodwill
In his text message to reporters, Dureza maintained that the reason in seeking more time to prepare for the peace talks is “precisely to strengthen and protect the gains achieved so far by both panels in the back channel talks.”
“It can win public good will for the forthcoming resumption of talks. We even intent to invite them to join our resource persons in the efforts to win further support,” he said.
Asked if this meant that the government panel is thinking of inviting Sison as a resource person, Dureza said they “have no specifics yet except broad strokes in that direction.”
“But ideally, if both panels or their representatives come together and engage the public, a lot of public good will can be earned,” he added.
Earlier, Sison called for the public release of “written and signed agreements of June 9 and 10” signed by both panels of the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
These agreements pertain to the scheduled commencement of the stand-down ceasefire on June 21, and the resumption of formal talks in Oslo on June 28.
Sison criticized the developments as an indication that the Philippine government led by Mr. Duterte “is not interested in serious peace negotiations with the NDFP.” /jpv
