Gov't in exploratory talks with Reds —Galvez

The Philippine government is in exploratory discussions with the communist group for the resumption of peace talks, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said Monday.

''Ongoing pa rin iyong ating exploratory talks at nakikita po natin na iyong last November nagkaroon tayo ng final, iyong tinatawag natin mission statement,'' Galvez said at a Palace press briefing when asked for update about the peace process.

(Our exploratory talks are still ongoing and we can see that in November of last year, we had a final mission statement.) 

''Iyong sa proseso kasi ng tinatawag natin na negotiation, mayroon po tayong tatlong proseso eh. Number one, is iyong getting the vision statement and then number two is iyong framework agreement and then number three is the final peace agreement,'' he added. 

(We have three processes in our negotiation. Number one is getting the vision statement, then having the framework agreement, and the final peace agreement.) 

Galvez said President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is very committed to finishing all the peace agreements and implementing them during his term. 

In November of last year, the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines agreed to resume the stalled peace negotiations after their representatives signed a joint statement for "a principled and peaceful resolution to the armed conflict."

In separate news conferences, the two sides announced the joint communique that was signed in Oslo on November 23 and which adverted to the need to "unite as a nation" amid socioeconomic and environmental issues, and "foreign security threats."

The statement was signed for the Philippine government by Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo, Galvez, and Special Representative Emmanuel Bautista.

For the NDFP, the joint statement was signed by National Executive Council Member Luis Jalandoni, interim Negotiating Panel chairperson Julieta De Lima, and panel member Coni Ledesma.—LDF GMA Integrated News