Aquino tells Norway, CPP-NDF: Time for peace talks to move forward

President Benigno Aquino III has relayed to the Norwegian government, the mediator in peace talks with the National Democratic Front, that it is time to have peace efforts with communist rebels move forward.

 

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Saturday Aquino stressed this during a courtesy call by representatives of the Norwegian government, who included peace process facilitators, last Friday.

 

“The president talked about his resolve to move the peace process forward,” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio Saturday.

 

She said the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines and National Democratic Front had encountered recent obstacles, but Aquino wants to move the peace process forward.

 

When asked how the facilitators responded, Valte said they agreed now is the time to move the peace process forward.

 

The Norwegian government is acting as a third-party facilitator for peace efforts between the government and the CPP, NDF and New People’s Army.

 

“Maganda ang pagtanggap ng facilitators and positive ang kanilang response (The facilitators had a positive response). They expressed, they felt now is a good time to move the peace process forward,” Valte said.

 

On the other hand, Valte maintained the NDF’s demand to release alleged political prisoners should go through the appropriate processes.

 

She said the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process is conducting an internal review.  — ELR, GMA News