Gov’t-NDF stalled peace talks resume in August

Labor Secretary and Chief Peace Negotiator Silvestre Bello III. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./Presidential Photo

The government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) will hold the fifth round of talks in August, government chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III said on Tuesday.

READ: Resume peace talks, rebs, gov’t urged

“We will probably have the… iyong naudlot na fifth round will be realized second or third week of August,” Bello said in a Palace briefing.

But before the formal talks, he said an informal meeting between the gov’t peace panel and the NDF would have an informal talk this July somewhere in Asia

“But before that, para maganda, we will have a good result, there will be an informal meeting with the panel, and the meeting may be in Asia or in the Philippines,” he said.

Bello said NDF wanted it to be held in Japan but he said they could have it in Hong Kong.

“Although, iyong NDF will like to have it somewhere in—they were mentioning Japan. Ang compromise ko naman—ang layo naman ng Japan—baka pwede na ang Hong Kong or the Philippines, especially so that Joma Sison will not be attending,” he said.

During the informal meeting, Bello said issues on socio economic reforms and the interim unilateral ceasefire would be discussed.

“There will be an informal meeting and they will discuss mainly on the issue of socioeconomic reforms and iyong possible interim unilateral ceasefire. Mag-usap na sila para pagdating ng August, eh maliwanag na,” he said.

The supposed fifth round of talks between the government and the NDF in May 27 was cancelled after the rebels ordered its fighters to step up attacks against the military following Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao. JPV