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Duterte not setting preconditions for revival of peace talks —Dureza


President Rodrigo Duterte's remarks last Friday were not preconditions for the revival of peace talks with communist rebels, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said Saturday.

In a radio interview, Dureza clarified that the President was not setting conditions for the other party to follow, but made "wishes" in seeking a "compelling reason" to revive the talks.

"Hindi ‘yung conditions na sinasabi mo. These are what the President [wishes]...," Dureza said.

"We always say that when compelling reasons exist, then we will reconsider... Please ano also make it very clear ... 'yung peace negotiations  walang ... preconditions sa negotiating table," he said.

"Otherwise, lalabas na parang dominante ‘yung isa, [at] ‘yung kabila nagre-respond lamang dahil may mga condition. Mabuti nang maintindihan ng lahat," he added.

In a media interview in Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday, Duterte said that if the peace talks were to resume, there must be a genuine ceasefire, New People's Army guerrillas must release all soldiers and civilians they are holding, and put an end  to extortion activities.

However, Dureza said they will still wait for specific instructions from the President.

"I heard the President say those words in Cagayan de Oro, kaya tignan natin what would be the specific instructions to us ... dahil iyon ang sinabi niya, doon tayo huhugot ng ating next steps," he said. —Jessica Bartolome/LBG, GMA News

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