Despite possible Duterte-Sison one-on-one, Lorenzana still skeptical of peace talks with Reds

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday said he supports President Rodrigo Duterte's interest in having a one-on-one talk with exiled communist leader Jose Maria "Joma" Sison, but maintained that he doesn't trust the insurgents.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Lorenzana said he still doubts the sincerity of the communist rebels, including Sison, in talking peace with the government.

"Kung totoong sinsero itong si Sison... eh makinig siya kay Presidente na umuwi rito para makipag usap," Lorenzana said.

"Ang ginawa niya, ang dami niyang kundisyon. Dapat pag mag-usap, walang kundisyon."

Lorenzana: Kung totoong sinsero itong si Sison...eh makinig siya sa Presidente na umuwi dito at mag-usap.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 27, 2019

Sison, the Netherlands-based founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has expressed willingness to have a one-on-one talk with Duterte but not in the Philippines.

Sison issued the statement after presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte wanted Sison to return to the Philippines for the talk.

Lorenzana, a former military general, said Duterte has discussed his intention to talk with Sison with him. Despite his distrust with Sison, Lorenzana said he supports the President's move.

"I support him. I support the peace talks kasi maganda naman ang layunin," he said.

Duterte recently ordered Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the government's former chief negotiator, to talk to Sison, months after terminating the dialogues in March this year.

Bello flew to The Netherlands on December 6 and was able to speak with Sison.

The government’s former chief negotiator disclosed last week that the negotiations might resume in January and that Sison agreed to a "face to face meeting" with Duterte. —KBK, GMA News