Zubiri welcomes peace talks ‘as long as we aren’t deceived’

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday backed government efforts to make peace with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) but maintained that the government should remain vigilant.

In an ambush interview in Manila, Zubiri was asked for comment on the resumption of peace talks with the insurgent group, as well as on Vice President Sara Duterte’s criticism of the move being “an agreement with the devil.”

“We welcome that. We welcome that from the President. We welcome that from the government. Basta ‘wag lang tayo magpaloko. ‘Yun siguro sinasabi ni VP Sara. ‘Wag po tayo magpaloko,” Zubiri told reporters.

(We welcome that. We welcome that from the President. We welcome that from the government. As long as we will not be deceived. I think that is what VP Sara is saying. Let us not be deceived.)

Zubiri said that the government and the NDFP could talk if they put their arms down.

“Any political move that will end any conflict within the Philippines, I’m in favor of, kasi long lasting solutions ‘yan eh. Kung hindi natin ma-address yung political solution niyan, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang paglalaban and paggugulo ng grupong ito,” said the Senate president.

(Any political move that will end any conflict within the Philippines, I’m in favor of, because these are long-lasting solutions. If we do not address the political solution, the fighting and the chaos of these groups will continue.)

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