(Eagle News)– The government peace panel on Monday (December 12) lauded the willingness of the National Democratic Front (NDF) to sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement before the release of political prisoners.
“The willingness of the NDF to sign the bilateral ceasefire agreement is indeed a welcome development as this bodes well to a positive atmosphere when we meet again for the third round of talks in January,” government panel chairman and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.
NDF adviser Luis Jalandoni said during an International Human Rights Day protest in Manila that they are willing to sign the agreement but they will also insist on the release of the political prisoners.
Jalandoni noted the agreement becomes effective upon the release of all political prisoners.
Bello said the government panel “recognizes the NDF’s efforts to work with us to attain peace.”
He added forging a bilateral ceasefire agreement is the best gift the government and the NDF can give to the Filipino people this holiday season.
The NDF is demanding the release of 400 political prisoners as part of the peace negotiations with the government.
Only 21 rebels have been freed since the peace talks resumed.
On Thursday, Duterte reiterated that he will release more political prisoners in 48 hours if the NDF had signed a bilateral peace agreement with the government.
