By Edith Regalado
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The government views with guarded optimism the peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) which resume in Rome starting tomorrow until Jan. 25.
Presidential adviser on the peace process Jesus Dureza said yesterday that the third round of talks would center on unfinished discussions on the proposed bilateral ceasefire vis-a-vis issues on the release of prisoners.
“The crucial agenda items on socio economic reforms, constitutional, political reforms and end of hostilities and disposition of forces are on the table for discussions. These issues, although difficult, are surmountable with both sides sharing common aspirations for peace,” Dureza said.
But Fidel Agcaoili, the communists’ chief negotiator, is not as hopeful as he believes that ending one of Asia’s longest insurgencies with a peace pact would not be possible before 2019.
The National Democratic Front, CPP’s political arm, also warned that forces on the ground were urging an end to a ceasefire as they became frustrated with the government’s “broken promises.”
“The NDF goes into the third round of formal talks in Rome determined as always to persevere with the peace talks but increasingly troubled by the other party’s sincerity,” Agcaoili said in a statement.
He added that the communists would need at least two more years after negotiators agreed on a series of economic and political reforms before even beginning “serious discussions” on a final peace pact.
Those economic and political reforms have yet to be agreed, and are meant to be discussed in Rome.
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