Jalandoni, wife in town for peace talks

From the Bohol Standard (Dec 28): Jalandoni, wife in town for peace talks

On the eve of the 46th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its two top leaders are back home from the Netherlands for today’s celebration of the communist movement in the country, a senior intelligence official revealed.

The official yesterday said the return of National Democratic Front (NDF) chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni and wife Connie Ledesma to the country would also allow the resumption of stalled peace negotiations with the government.

Asked if Jalandoni and his wife’s return is related to persistent talks that the government and the communists have sealed an agreement for the resumption of peace talks, the official said the issue is political.

There had been reports that both parties have agreed to return to the negotiating table after the papal visit next month.

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the country on Jan. 15 and is leaving on Jan. 19 after a series of engagements in Manila and in Eastern Visayas.

Early this year, CPP founding chair- man Jose Ma. Sison said they are willing to meet and talk peace with President Aquino following the failure of negotiations a year ago. “I cannot comment on that because it’s a political issue.

What can I say is, whatever the government decision on this matter, the military will fully support it,” the security official said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said they could not comment on the resumption of peace talks with the rebels.

“It’s OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) under Secretary Teresita Deles, not us in AFP. Let’s wait for an official announcement of OPAPP if there is any,” Padilla said.

Deles reportedly hinted about a surprise development when she met with the media before the holiday break.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., for his part, also would not comment on the return of the Jalandonis.

Jalandoni’s return with his wife to the country comes as the AFP enforces a month-long unilateral ceasefire it declared last Dec. 18 until Jan. 19 next year with the communist rebels.

Talks with the NDF were stalled last year after government negotiators rejected a demand to free communist leaders with pending criminal cases.

The NDF, which represents the CPP and the New People’s Army (NPA) in the negotiations, claimed the detained communist leaders are peace consultants and should be immune from arrest. Most NDF leaders have pending criminal cases in the Philippines, including murder.

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