Palace: ‘Many possibilities’ in gov’t-CPP talks

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacanang on Sunday declined to comment on the possibility of President Benigno Aquino III meeting with Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Maria Sison but said there were “many possibilities.”

“Ayon kay Kalihim (Teresita Quintos-) Deles, maraming posibilidad kung magiging bukas ang magkabilang panig at mapagkakasunduan ang muling pagbubukas ng pormal na negosasyon,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said over state-run radio. (According to Secretary Deles, there are many possibilities if both sides agree to re-open formal negotiations.)

Deles is the presidential adviser on the peace process.

The statement came after the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) quoted Sison as saying that he and the President could meet “if there is already a substantive agreement” between the government and the CPP.

He said it could serve as a “confidence-building measure.”

The PDI report said the idea for the meeting was first raised in 2012, a year after Aquino met with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief Murad Ebrahim. Earlier this year, the government and the MILF signed a peace agreement, which paved the way for the creation of a Bangsamoro political entity.

Coloma, however, said they would still have to wait for the outcome.

“Si Kalihim Teresita ‘Ging’ Deles, ang naatasan na magsagawa ng nararapat na hakbang upang itaguyod ang prosesong pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at ng CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines—New People’s Army—National Democratic Front),” he said. (Secretary Teresita “Ging” Deles is the one designated to undertake the necessary steps to pursue the peace process between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF.)

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