House panel upbeat on peace talks’ resumption

DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent remarks on the possible resumption of peace talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines was welcomed by the House Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity,

Duterte last week said he is "once again open" to the resumption of the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP ) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines ( NDFP).

Bayan Muna Partylist Rep.Carlos Isagani Zarate, said he was looking forward to the return of both parties to the negotiation table by next month.

“We hope that formal talks can resume on April 2-6, as originally scheduled during the January Rome Third Round of Talks. We also urge the parties to honor previous agreements and not to attach any precondition for its resumption,” Zarate said.

“The resumption of the peace talks will certainly further advance the bold gains already generated during the last three (3) rounds of talks that began in August last year. Much have already been achieved in the substantive agenda on the socioeconomic, political and constitutional reforms, thus, this is not the time to abandon the peace process that seeks a possible solution to the almost five-decade old armed rebellion in our country,” he said.

“However, we also strongly urge Pres. Duterte to rein in the militarists in his administration who are hellbent on derailing and sabotaging the progress of the peace talks,” stressed Zarate.