Peace talks with NDF to resume

Government negotiators are set to resume peace talks with the communist National Democratic Front (NDF) and secessionists from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The STAR obtained documents showing that President Arroyo approved yesterday the resumption of peace talks between the go-vernment and the NDF after it was suspended last June because of the assassination of Cagayan Rep. Rodolfo Aguinaldo.

A 17-member government peace panel has flown to Oslo, Norway to prepare for the resumption of peace negotiations. They were led by former justice secretary Silvestre Bello III and Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza.

The documents also showed that the resumption of peace talks with the rebels was recommended by retired Lt. Gen. Eduardo Ermita, presidential adviser on the peace process.

In Davao City, Ermita said the government coordinating committee on the cessation of hostilities is set to meet with its MILF counterpart.

"We are now in the process of technical preparations for the next agenda item on rehabilitation and development," he said. "God willing, our panel will meet soon to push their efforts forward."

Ermita said the concerned local governments are in the process of establishing monitoring teams like those in the Lanao provinces to strengthen the ceasefire’s implementation on the local level.

Malaysian, Indonesia, and Libya have been invited to send observers in the ceasefire talks, he added.

Ermita said the two panels intend to maintain the ceasefire and move the negotiations forward despite violent incidents that have occurred recently in Central and Northern Mindanao.

Last month, the two panels signed an agreement in Kuala Lumpur for the mechanics on implementing the cessation of hostilities, he added.

Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo has set aside a total of P4,367,013 to cover the expenses of the government peace delegation to Oslo.

Apart from Bello and Braganza, the peace panel includes private sector representatives Rene Sarmiento, Ana Theresa Hontiveros–Baraquel, and Jose Luis Martin Gascon.

Other government officials traveling to Oslo are: Press Undersecretary Cerge Remonde, Tarlac Gov. Jose "Apeng" Yap, and representatives of the Department of Justice and the Office of the President. – Marichu Villanueva and Edith Regalado