Dureza optimistic of peace talks with Reds | Inquirer News

Dureza optimistic of peace talks with Reds

/ 07:37 AM June 09, 2016


DAVAO CITY — Incoming presidential adviser to the peace process Jesus Dureza is optimistic that the talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines will be productive under the Duterte administration.

“The difference now we have a president who thinks out of the box, who is very bold, who will spend political capital just to see we will achieve something in the negotiations. So I’m very optimistic,” he told reporters on Wednesday night.

Dureza, a longtime friend of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte, also served as peace adviser during the administrations of former presidents Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Sabi ng iba (Some say), Jess you’re back already so okay na. No, kung alam ko ang (if I knew the) magic formula, matagal na sana naayos ito (then this would have been settled long ago). It’s a work [that involves a] step-by-step [process], one piece at a time. But having a president like President Rody must be very forthright. Unprecedented ‘yung nag offer siya sa Communist Party of the Philippines ng cabinet positions (That he offered cabinet positions to the Communist Party of the Philippines is unprecedented), which was unthinkable prior to this,” he said.

FEATURED STORIES

READ: NDFP sees peace deal within 6-9 months of Duterte administration

Peace talks between the government and the communist rebels have been on and off the past three decades.

Article continues after this advertisement

Preliminary talks between the incoming administration and the NDFP are set in Oslo next week, Communist Party of the Philippines founding Chairman Jose Maria Sison first announced on Wednesday.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Preliminary talks with NDFP to start next week

Article continues after this advertisement

Sison said both parties are set to agree on the agenda for the resumption of formal talks in July.

The talks will be held two weeks before Duterte and his Cabinet formally assume office.

Article continues after this advertisement

Dureza later clarified that the meeting is only in the “sidelines” of a forum hosted by the Norwegian government, which is brokering the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the NDFP.

“To make it very clear, we have not yet assumed office. We are not there to start formal negotiations. We are there to attend a forum but it will be a good opportunity to meet in the sidelines with the leaders of the CPP, who by the way are my personal friends before,” he said. CDG

 

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

READ: Joma says Oslo talks to tackle ceasefire details

TAGS: Jesus Dureza, Peace Talks

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.