Topic: Philippines

If Mr. Duterte “is truly interested in peace negotiations” with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), he “has to reorient his defense, military and police officials

peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) would probably resume on the second or third week of January

“In my particular case as chief political consultant of the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines), I cannot give up the legal protection that I enjoy under the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights and practically surrender myself to a regime and its armed minions that are notorious for gross human rights violations,” the communist leader wrote.

Among the contentious issues are the venue of the peace talks and the freedom for elderly and sickly political prisoners, as well as the safety and immunity guarantees for the NDFP consultants in the peace negotiations

Bello said he briefed Duterte late Wednesday regarding the fruitful results of his recent meeting with leaders of the CPP and the National Democratic Front (NDF).

“Anything not yet to be resolved has to be resolved in an informal meeting prior to the formal meeting to resume the peace negotiation,”

“The NDFP cannot submit itself to any situation and process in which it comes under the duress, control, and surveillance by the armed minions of Duterte,”

“There is hard work ahead for negotiators and consultants … for the peace negotiations to move forward,”

The most militarist-minded and brutal officers of the AFP and PNP must be reminded to stop pipe-dreaming about entrapping the NDFP negotiating personnel in Metro Manila

Holding peace negotiations in neutral territory is standard practice among peace processes in history