Gov’t to subsidize expenses of Reds set to fly to Norway

THE government will shoulder portion of the expenses of communist leaders who will participate in the peace talks in Oslo Norway on Aug. 20, a Palace official said yesterday.

“I think it’s a shared expense [between the government and] their counterparts [once the peace dialogue resumes,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters.

“I don’t have exact number [about how much will be spent] but it’s sizeable,” he added.

Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jesus Dureza had said President Rodrigo R. Duterte already ordered the temporary release of some leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army, and National Democratic front (NDF) who will take part in the talks.

CPP founder Jose Maria Sison, CPP chairman Benito Tiamzon, CPP finance chief Wilma Tiamzon, and NDF peace negotiating panel chair Luis Jalandoni are the key personalities expected to take part in the peace talks.

The Duterte administration and the militant groups are expected to tackle the affirmation of both parties on the signed agreements, the interim ceasefire, and the activation of the joint agreement on safety and immunity guarantees that has been stalled.

Abella said the government is now doubling its effort to make sure that individuals needed for the resumption of peace deal will be able to join.