Government gears up for NDF talks

Government negotiators will begin back-channel talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) during the first week of January, a government official said.

The official, who requested anonymity, said Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza and former Justice Secretary Silvestre Bello III, both government negotiators, are set to leave for Oslo, Norway for the talks.

Both sides are slated to resume peace talks on the second week of January.

The Arroyo government suspended talks with the NDF following the assassination of Cagayan Rep. Rodolfo Aguinaldo last June. — Jose Rodel Clapano