11 communist leaders to be freed ahead of resumption of talks on August 20

The Duterte administration is set to release 11 communist leaders but only to participate in the talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-National Democratic Front (NDF)-New People's Army (NPA) which will begin on August 20 in Oslo, Norway.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, presidential peace adviser Jess Dureza said the talks will be headed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on the government side and Luis Jalandoni will lead the team across the table.

CPP founder Jose Maria Sison will also be present during the resumption of the formal negotiations.

"It [peace talks] would be, first, a formal resumption. It is a milestone because of the peace talks have broken down for four years," Dureza said.

For this, Duterte has ordered the concerned agencies to begin work on the temporary release of the political prisoners. Dureza refused to name them.

"Let's wait until the list is finally approved. May request ang CPP-NPA-NDF ng listahan na kailangan nila for the negotiations. But we said we're working on it and will follow the legal procedure (for their release)," Dureza said in a separate interview at a peace forum in Makati City. 

Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza says the gov't will release 11 communist leaders so they can participate in the talks. pic.twitter.com/N4WSDAVk86

— Virgil Lopez (@virgillopez) July 19, 2016

The peace talks, according to Dureza, will begin with a ceremonial opening. It will be followed by an affirmation of signed agreements and talks on the ceasefire, joint agreement on safety and immunity guarantees (JASIG), and then the possible release of other political prisoners.

Other substantive political and socio-economic issues may also be discussed.

Aside from the representatives of both sides, the incoming Senate President and House Speaker are also invited to observe  the peace talks. 

Both sides were supposed to resume formal negotiations on July 27, two days after President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the Nation Address, but the government asked for its deferment to next month to ensure that all technical details related to the talks are addressed by both parties.

Dureza said the communist rebels agreed with the change of date, quoting panel chairman and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

"The government peace panel has decided to re-schedule the resumption of formal peace negotiations with the NDF. We will request for a new date, possibly August 20 to 27 this year," said Bello in a statement. 

"This is to ensure that all technical details related to the formal resumption in Oslo are attended to and addressed by both parties. We want to lay a more formidable and durable foundation for the peace talks, particularly with regard the mechanics that would govern a nationwide ceasefire and the release of political prisoners," he added. 

Government peace panel member Hernani Braganza said they do not expect stumbling blocks for the resumption "as it is very clear that there will be no pre-conditions from both parties."

"The government likens this stage to a house that President Duterte wants to be built. Let the foundations be sturdy enough that it could withstand any disaster or threat to their stability. So that when we go to Oslo, both parties will just need to add the windows and doors to lasting peace and genuine progress," he said. — RSJ, GMA News