PH gov’t, NDFP sign rules for talks on socio-economic reforms

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza (right), Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III (second from right) , shake hands with Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison (left) and Fidel Agcaoili (center) of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines after they sign an agreement in Rome, Italy, that would be the basis for future talks on socio-economic reforms. (Photo release from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process)

ROME — The Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines signed, on Wednesday, the ground rules on the conduct of the formal talks on socio-economic reforms.

The signed document would serve as the guideline for the workshops and meetings of each party’s Reciprocal Working Committees (RWCs) on Social and Economic Reforms (SER).

Both parties said that the document was one of the major gains in the third round of talks here.

The Philippine government and the NDFP would end the third round of formal talks here around 3 p.m. local time Wednesday (10 p.m.Manila) with “several significant gains,” negotiators said.

The panels were also expected to issue a joint statement, detailing the agreements achieved, and the issues were expected in forthcoming talks.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and peace presidential adviser Jesus Dureza are heading the government’s panel of negotiators, while the communist side is headed by Fidel Agcaoili, backed up by CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison.  SFM