Consultations on peace talks with NDFP ongoing, says Galvez

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said Thursday that consultations are still ongoing regarding peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

"The consultation is still ongoing. We have visited… most of the camps and also we visited some of the provinces. We have already visited Western Mindanao Command, we have also visited the Northern Luzon Command and also Southern Luzon Command," Galvez said at the Palace press briefing.

"We also have a good discussion with the different commanders of the Philippine Army and we're getting some positive feedbacks. But for now, I cannot discuss all the details because the talks is still some sort of ongoing," he added.

In November last year, the Philippine government and the NDFP agreed to resume the stalled peace negotiations after their representatives signed a joint statement for "a principled and peaceful resolution to the armed conflict."

In separate news conferences, the two sides announced the joint communique that was signed in Oslo on November 23 and which adverted to the need to "unite as a nation" amid socioeconomic and environmental issues, and "foreign security threats."

"Cognizant of the serious socioeconomic and environmental issues, and the foreign security threats facing the country, the parties recognize the need to unite the nation in order to urgently address these challenges and resolve the reasons for the armed conflict," the joint statement said.

Galvez had expressed optimism over the chances of the peace process with the communist rebels under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — VDV, GMA Integrated News