Peace process can be achieved, says Dureza

MANILA, Philippines - There is a high level of confidence among peace negotiators of the government and the communist rebels that they can make things work and achieve their ultimate goal, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza said yesterday.

“In a peace process, every agreement is a foundation. It is a brick on a building that one must build from. Gaya ng magkasintahan (just like sweethearts), you have to build that relationship, trust and it takes time,” Dureza said in a press conference at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) shortly after his arrival from Oslo, Norway.

The two panels signed an indefinite ceasefire agreement in Norway.

With Dureza was Angeles City Mayor and peace adviser Ed Pamintuan.

Dureza said that the road to peace has bumps and humps along the way and the roadmap is not always clear.

Pamintuan said Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison wants the peace negotiations to finish in six months. The government expects to make it in eight months.

Dureza said the developments in Oslo signaled the formal resumption of the long-stalled peace negotiations.

“There are lessons we learned from past peace talks. There is a lot of goodwill on both sides,” he said.

“There will be a lot of issues, sensitive issues. There will be challenges along the way, we have made some breakthroughs, but if there is a commitment from both sides, there is nothing that could stop a final settlement,” he pointed out.

He said both panels came with guarded optimism and managed expectations. He added the mood during the discussion was relaxed and even jovial. – With Ben Serrano