Bello outlines main issues for peace talks

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - With the first Mindanaoan president coming to office on June 30, different progressive groups from all over the country set hopes for the genuine resume of peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH).

From the government sector to represent the incoming President Rodrigo Duterte was incoming Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello. 

In his speech, Bello said that the NDFP and GPH are set to discuss social and economic reforms as well as political and constitutional reforms.

“Pag nagkasundo na sa dalawa, we will finally discuss and hopefully end the fourth and last substantive issue which will be the end of hostilities. Ang sarap ng buhay ng Pilipino ‘pag nangyari yun,” Bello explained.

Duterte was supposed to attend the forum but canceled as he was already on his way to Luzon for his inauguration today.

Bello, on the other hand, said that the two groups have already bared plans on the dates of the peace talks. The NDFP suggested it to fall on July 16 to 19 while the GPH wanted it on July 20 to 23.

“We preferred July 20 to 23 because it is after the president’s State of the Nation Address while NDFP likes it on July 19 because their chair Luis Jalandoni has an appointment on 23. We are still sorting it out,” he said.

The event at Almendras Gym saw an estimate of 40,000 indigenous people but due to limited capacity, most of them were all over the city. 

Representatives of different progressive groups holding national posts also graced the event.  It included Makabayan legislators: Sarah Elago of Kabataan Partylist, Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis Partylist, and Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna Partylist.