Dureza to consult public on peace talks

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza. INQUIRER FILE

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said his office would be conducting public consultations during the three-month review period of the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front (NDF).

“We’d also avail of this period to engage the public,” said a statement from Dureza’s office, quoting his interview with ABS-CBN in Norway.

“Dahil alam naman natin na kapag binulaga mo sa taong bayan ’yan na secret – backchannel, hindi pinapaalam sa publiko, chances are, the public will start asking questions and may not even support it (the peace talks).”

“Pwede nating ilabas lahat ang napag-usapan in the backchannel and then pag-usapan (in public consultations) so the public will understand why,” Dureza added.

(We can release all that was discussed in the backchannel and talk about it (in public consultations) so the public will understand why)

Dureza also noted the involvement of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the peace process.

“We have a concept and a way of how we can involve our OFWs and we call these the ‘Peace Ambassadors’,” he said.

He said the peace ambassadors were installed especially among the OFWS because they are the best people to convey information to other Filipinos.

These ambassadors have been installed prior to peace talk rounds in Rome, the Netherlands, and Norway, Dureza said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier postponed the resumption of formal peace talks with the NDF pending review of related signed agreements. /cbb/Daphnie Beltran, intern