(Interaksyon.com file photograph)
Luis Jalandoni, the long-time chairman of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines' peace negotiating panel, has resigned and been replaced by Fidel Agcaoili, the rebel organization announced on the eve of the start of the second round of formal talks with the government.
The NDFP also announced the appointment of recently released consultant Benito Tiamzon as member of the peace panel "in order to further strengthen” the body.
Jalandoni, a former priest who comes from a landed family in Negros Occidental, had been chairman of the NDFP panel since 1995. Previously, he was NDFP vice chairman for international affairs. His wife Coni Ledesma, who also hails from a prominent Negros Occidental family and is a former nun, is also a peace panel member.
With his resignation, Jalandoni, 81, becomes the rebel panel's new senior adviser.
Agcaoili was vice chairman of the panel and also heads its human rights committee.
Like most members of the NDFP panel, as well as Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison, who is also chief political consultant of the rebel negotiators, Jalandoni and Agcaoili are based in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Tiamzon was arrested with his wife Wilma in Cebu in 2014. At the time, authorities said the couple held the top positions in the CPP. They were among the NDFP consultants freed on bail last month ahead of the resumption of formal peace negotiations.
"The national leadership of the NDFP is grateful for the valuable service that Comrade Jalandoni has given to the peace negotiations,” the Front said in its statement. He continues to be involved in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations as a Senior Adviser.
In a statement from the NDF International Information Office in Utrecht, The Netherlands, the revolutionary coalition said "the national leadership of the NDF is grateful for the valuable service that Comrade Jalandoni has given to the peace negotiations. He continues to be involved in the GRP-NDF peace negotiations as a senior adviser.' (With a report from Diego Mora, InterAksyon)
Among the sensitive issues that are expected to be tackled in the second phase of negotiations are the comprehensive agreement on agrarian reform, socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms and the process for the implementation of the bilateral ceasefire.
Six members of the House of Representatives will be on hand to observe the conduct of the peace talks.
WATCH THIS NEWS5 VIDEO REPORT BY KAYE IMSON IN ASKER, NORWAY:
[Video report]
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/133046/jalandoni-steps-down-agcaoili-new-ndf-negotiating-panel-head
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