Dureza: Peace talks with Reds in limbo

DAVAO CITY — The resumption of the peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) remains uncertain, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus G. Dureza said.

In an interview during the culmination of the National Peace Consciousness Month at the Rizal Park here Friday evening, Dureza said they will stand with the declaration of President Duterte who called off talks with the NDF.

“I don’t know if it could be revived. But I am not ready at this time to talk about talking to the communist,” Duterte said last week.

“For the meantime, we take guidance from the statement of the President that we cannot resume peace negotiations,” he said.

He said the return of peace talks would now depend on the situation that will change the mind of the President.

Dureza refused to speculate on the possibility of the resumption of the peace process as this might create false expectations among the people.

“We have to be precise in our work for peace,” he said.

He, however, said the door is not yet closed for the talks, and that it may materialize at the right time.

Dureza said the government is currently reaching out to members of the New People’s Army and offering them livelihood and free housing should they decide to surrender.

Last Thursday, 85 former NPA rebels in Compostela Valley Province received 165,000 livelihood benefits from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) implemented by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

I don’t know if it could be revived. But I am not ready at this time to talk about talking to the communist, Duterte said last week.