Hopes high for meeting between NDFP, Duterte negotiators

Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes. NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net

A militant group on Friday expressed optimism about the upcoming preliminary talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the peace negotiators of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte in Oslo next week.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chairperson Renato Reyes said the meeting between NDFP leaders and a government delegation was expected to be “productive.”

“Bayan has high hopes for the preliminary talks between the NDFP and the representatives of President-elect Duterte next week. We hope that headway can be made in relation to the release of political prisoners and the affirmation of (previously) signed agreements,” Reyes said in a statement.

“These are necessary to fast-track the peace negotiations. We expect the meeting between the two panels to be productive,” he added.

The incoming Duterte administration will be represented by presidential adviser on peace process Jesus Dureza and incoming government chief peace negotiator Silvestre Bello.

The NDFP previously expressed confidence that a peace deal would be signed through an accelerated framework within six to nine months of Duterte’s administration.

Reyes said they were hoping that the insurgency in Mindanao would be addressed through socio-economic and political reforms under a new President.

“The Filipino people desire peace based on justice…We have a chance at achieving this under the new government. As we have said, Duterte can do more for peace with the NDFP in his first 100 days than Noynoy (President Aquino) did in his 6 years in office,” he said. IDL/rga

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