Peace talks loom
Dante Jimenez, founding president of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (left) said to be one of the members of Duterte’s “inner circle’ greets President-elect in a recent meeting in the Philippines. Jimenez said Duterte will wipe out crime in the country in a meeting with journalists and community leaders in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of former Welfare Officer Don Duerro
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Presumptive president-elect Rodrigo Duterte will pursue holding dialogues with rebel groups, including the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Duterte disclosed that he spent three hours talking to Fidel Agcaoili, National Democratic Front (NDF) spokesman, on Wednesday evening in Davao City. The NDF is the political arm of the Communist group.
“We agreed on the framework on how to proceed with the peace talks,” he said.
“And maybe in God’s good time, I told Fidel that, merong panahon dadating sa atin that we will stop talking about being left and being right,” he added.
The Davao strongman has expressed his willingness to work with the Communists that he announced that he will appoint members of their group to government posts, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
He also looks forward to the re-starting the peace process in Mindanao.
“And also we will stop talking about the Moro, the Christians, and the lumads and simply call ourselves Mindanaoan,” said Duterte, adding that he plans to go to Jolo town in Sulu province and talk to MNLF Founder Nur Misuari.
“Kasi sabi ng MNLF na inisnab sila. I am very sorry to say na hindi namin talaga ginawa ‘yan,” he explained.
He also said he plans to visit NPA strongholds as there are still police personnel in Misamis Oriental and a soldier in Agusan del Sur being held hostage.
On the peace talks with NDF Chairman Jose Maria Sison, Duterte is still unable to give a formal invitation until he assumes office by June 30.
But he said a government emissary will be sent to the Netherlands as part of the peace process.(MNS)