President Duterte sees difficult talks ahead but open to settlement with Reds

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 16): President Duterte sees difficult talks ahead but open to settlement with Reds

But the series of armed encounters have exasperated the President who threatened to call off the peace negotiations if the NPA rebels continue to launch offensives and ambuscades against government troops.

But during the meeting in Malacañang yesterday, President Duterte said he is open to any proposal that "would address the root of rebellion in the countryside."

Also present during the meeting were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and BID commissioner Jaime Morante.

The GPH panel was also in complete attendance. Joining Bello in the meeting with the President was Librado-Trinidad, former agrarian reform secretary Hernani Braganza, and new GPH panel member Antonio Arellano, a retired regional state prosecutor in Region 11.

Arellano, who was detained by the Marcos government, is a close friend of President Duterte and is a former human rights lawyer like Bello.

Bello and Arellano were former anti-Marcos activists in Davao City, the home city of the President.

The NDF consultants who met with President Duterte were led by former Bayan Muna party list Rep. Satur Ocampo, NDF panel member Fidel Agcaoili and NDF lawyer Edre Olalia.

The Oslo talks are expected to tackle substantial issues on socio economic reforms, political and constitution reforms, security and immunity guarantees, cessation of hostilities and disposition of forces.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=914168