Peace with Reds next

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino expressed his strong resolve to move the peace process with communist rebels forward in a meeting with Norwegian government representatives and facilitators in Malacañang on Friday.

Speaking over state-run radio dzRB on Saturday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Norwegian facilitators welcomed the assurance of Aquino that the stalled peace talks would be resumed.

“The facilitators expressed that they felt that now is a good time to move the peace process forward,” she said.

In a forum this week, government peace panel chairman Alexander Padilla said the public must “guard and support” the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front.

The government remains optimistic that a final negotiated political settlement would be completed and implemented during Aquino’s term, he added.

A contentious issue is the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).

The NDF insists on the release of political prisoners supposedly working as “consultants.’

JASIG allows negotiators or consultants to freely move around without threat of arrest.

Padilla said despite predicaments the “government stands committed” to the peace talks.

He believed that “the parties will forge peace when the time comes,” he added.

Earlier, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said it was conducting an internal review process regarding political prisoners in accordance with laws and court processes.

Polly Michelle Cunanan, OPAPP spokesperson, said the release of NDF “consultants” and other political prisoners was being considered “in line with legal processes.”

The NDF has repeatedly demanded the release of political prisoners numbering 356 – including 14 consultants – as a condition the government must satisfy before it returns to the negotiating table.

Three NDF consultants – Alan Jazmines, Eduardo Serrano and Eduardo Sarmiento – are being held on criminal charges like murder and arson, the NDF added.

The NDF has also demanded investigation into the killing of other consultants like Sotero Llamas, Leo Velasco, Prudencio Calubid and Rogelio Calubad.