Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson during the Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday, January 11, 2018. Lacson says he supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s assertion that peace talks with Reds should be held in the Philippines. (PRIB Photo by Cesar Tomambo/ 11 January 2018)
Senator Panfilo Lacson threw his full support behind President Rodrigo Duterte’s assertion that peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and other rebel groups be held in the Philippines.
“To me, it makes a lot of sense. I have actually been asking myself for the longest time why we need a third country facilitator and venue to talk peace with our fellow Filipinos. For one, it entails more expenses, not to mention inconvenience,” Lacson, a former police chief, said in a statement on Thursday.
He pointed out that those who are in self-exile might only need a safe conduct passage from the government to move freely and safely during the whole duration of the peace talks.
“I don’t think their self-proclaimed ‘belligerency status’ will suffer or get affected if we do not involve a third, neutral party or country,” the senator said.
“Therefore, I fully support President Duterte in his assertion that we hold the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front and other rebel groups right here in our country,” Lacson added.
CPP founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison earlier warned that peace negotiations would be doomed if Duterte would dictate the venue of the resumption of the peace talks.
“It’s the end of peace negotiations if Duterte will dictate the venue where he can conduct surveillance and control,” Sison said.
“The most effective way for the [government] to end the peace negotiations is to dictate that the venue is under the control of Duterte and his military brutes,” he added.
READ: Peace talks doomed if held in PH – Joma Sison
Despite this, Duterte insisted that peace talks be held in the Philippines as he assured Sison’s safety and security while in the country.
READ: Duterte insists peace talks should be in PH
Peace negotiations between the government and communist movement have mostly been held in Norway, the third-party facilitator in the talks. /kga