President Duterte determined to attain peace- Dureza

From the Philippine Star (Feb 21): President Duterte determined to attain peace- Dureza

President Rodrigo Duterte has reiterated his "desire and passion" of achieving sustainable peace.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza said members of the government peace panel met with the President Duterte Monday night and discussed the directions and possible next steps in the government's peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF), the Bangsamoro, the Cordillerans, and the other stakeholders.

Dureza said the President gave specific instructions on how to deal with recent developments in talking peace with the CPP/NDF/NPA, including possible next steps after the peace talks and the unilateral ceasefire declarations were cancelled.

According to Dureza, the President vowed to work for a strategic shift to finally achieve peace with the communist rebels.

As to the Bangsamoro peace table, Dureza said the President "viewed with positive note" the launch of the renewed effort to implement the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro on Friday in Davao City, where the President will preside over the big event.

"He also stressed the need for convergence and the coming together of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front, and other different factions of the Bangsamoro in a single road map for peace," Dureza said.

Dureza also said the President supports the creation of an autonomous region for the Cordillera and "called on the people there to unite as one in making a final try at entrenching it as mandated by the constitution."

Dureza added that the President instructed that inputs from the different stakeholders must be gathered so an inclusive reform agenda will be achieved, "which must eventually lead to the final goal of installing a federal system throughout the country."

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