NDFP negotiators confirm intent to meet with Duterte

Peace negotiators from the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), confirmed Sunday that they were willing to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte about resuming peace talks with the government.

In Mark Makalalad's report on Super Radyo dzBB, NDFP peace panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili said he is scheduled to return to the Philippines this month.

Ilang NDFP peace negotiator, kinumpirma na makikipagpulong sila kay Pang. Rodrigo Duterte para muling buksan ang usapang pangkapayapaan. | via @MMakalalad

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) November 11, 2018

NDFP negotiating panel senior adviser Luis Jalandoni is also set to join him as members of the joint monitoring committee under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

The peace negotiators said they are hopeful that they could have a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte unless the president refuses or the military advises otherwise.

Duterte on Saturday said that he could possibly meet NDFP peace negotiators and will make an announcement on the matter after he returns from the November 13-15 ASEAN summit in Singapore.

The president terminated peace negotiations with the CPP-NDFP almost one year ago on November 23, 2017, just two days before the fifth round of formal talks in Oslo, Norway were scheduled to resume.

TIMELINE: The peace talks between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF, 1986 – present

Agcaoili and Jalandoni are also scheduled to meet with Norwegian ambassador to the Philippines Bjørn Jahnsen this month. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News