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Reds agreed to 90% of what Duterte asked, resume peace talks —Bello


Leaders of the National Democratic Front have agreed to a resumption of its peace talks with the Philippine government, the chief negotiator with communist rebels said on Wednesday.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello added that the NDF leaders agreed to 90% of what President Rodrigo Duterte asked in connection with the peace negotiations.

“What I can tell you is they agreed to a resumption,” Bello told reporters. “Ninety percent of what the president asked, nag-agree sila.”

Bello flew to The Netherlands on December 6 on the orders of Duterte to speak with Communist Party of the Philippines founder Joma Sison, NDF senior adviser Luis Jalandoni and NDF chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili.

A representative of the Royal Norweigan Government was also present.

Bello said the meeting went well but added that he was not at liberty to make public their discussions.

He is scheduled to report to Duterte on Wednesday night.

Sison earlier said that the peace talks was a “prelude to the escalation of attacks against the people and the revolutionary forces.”

Bello allayed fears that the condition was a trap to arrest communists.

“Magiimbita ka tapos huhulihin mo. Hindi naman siguro gano’n ang pagkatao ng ating presidente,” Bello said.

“Ever since, the president never abandoned his legacy to our country and that is lasting peace. Iba-iba lang approch but he never abandoned that.” —Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News

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