The New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao emphasized that although it welcomed the talks with Mayor Sara Duterte, it stands by the national leadership of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines as the negotiating entity in the peace process.
Traditional leaders of the royal sultanates of Mindanao gathered Thursday here to express their support to the Bangsamoro peace process and the move to shift to a federal form of government.
As a gesture of support on the resumption of peace talks, the National Democratic Front in Mindanao announced Thursday the slated released of the six prisoners of wars who were held captive by the New People’s Army.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said she is willing to listen to the NPA “if the NPA is willing to talk.”
To ensure the success of the bilateral ceasefire negotiations, CPP said that the government could “help facilitate the travel of the NDFP’s ceasefire committee member and consultants.”
A peace advocate group is urging President Rodrigo Duterte to talk with government peace negotiators.
National Antiv-Poverty Commission Lead Convenor Liza Maza said Duterte’s interest to meet with them means: “He is intent on hearing our views, he is open to hearing us out.”
Two soldiers were killed and 17 others were wounded in a series of armed encounters with New People’s Army guerrillas in northern Davao City on Thursday.
Solicitor General Jose Calida, a former Justice assistant secretary, said a Supreme Court decision “should prevail over the Jasig as basis on the order to rearrest the National Democratic Front of the Philippines who were granted temporary liberty last year to join the peace negotiations.
Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo believes that the government can continue the peace negotiations with the Communists even without a ceasefire.
