Dureza on stymied peace talks: It can win public goodwill

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza. INQUIRER file photo / ARNOLD ALMACEN

The postponement of the resumption of formal peace talks could “win public goodwill,” Peace Secretary Jesus Dureza said on Friday, amid the call of exiled communist leader Jose Maria Sison for the people to wage a war against the government.

“Our purpose in seeking more time is precisely to strengthen and protect the gains achieved so far by both panels in the backchannel talks,” Dureza said in a text message.

On Thursday, Sison said he was “not only disappointed but exasperated,” and said the “people have no choice but to single-mindedly wage a people’s war for national and social liberation.”

READ: Joma: Communist rebels ‘to single-mindedly wage people’s war’

“He is entitled to his own opinion and we respect it,” Dureza said in response to Sison’s remarks.

Dureza on Thursday announced that President Rodrigo Duterte wanted the resumption of peace negotiations to be moved to a later date but did not give a definite timeline.

READ: Dureza: Peace talks with Reds on June 28 canceled

The peace adviser said Duterte wanted to consult the public before the talks resume.

“It can win public goodwill for the forthcoming resumption of talks,” Dureza said.

He said the government would “even intend to invite them to join our resource persons in the efforts to win further support.”

Asked about the date of the public consultations, Dureza said: “We are in the process of formulating the process to do it as quickly as possible.” /jpv