Ex-presidential peace adviser Abaya was 60

Former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Annabelle Abaya has passed away after a short battle with cancer, the Philippine Daily Inquirer learned only Sunday. Abaya was 60.

Abaya, known as Belle, died in the United States on Aug. 19. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) will hold a Mass for Abaya Monday at 9:30 a.m. Her family is organizing a party in her honor in December.

Abaya is survived by her husband Tony and children Victor, Margaux and Anton.

Abaya served as spokesperson for then President Fidel V. Ramos. She was appointed Presidential Adviser on Peace by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2009.

In her stint at OPAPP, Abaya was able to reopen negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front. For this, she was awarded the Presidential Order of Lakandula, Rank of Bayani or National Hero.

Abaya founded the Conflict Resolution Group (CoRe), described as a foundation “promoting the use of dialogue to help settle disputes.”

Abaya earned her Psychology degree at St. Theresa’s College. She went to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government for her master’s degree in Public Policy. She earned a second master’s degree in Dispute Resolution from the University of Massachusetts Boston, as well as a doctorate  in Conflict Resolution from Tuft’s University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Nikko Dizon