OPAPP: PH, Reds hold ‘informal talks’ in Europe to resume peace talks

Informal back channel talks are now taking place in Europe for the possible resumption of peace talks, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said on Tuesday.

OPAPP said Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello have informed President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night that “the efforts to resume peace negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF are underway, with informal back channel talks now taking place in Europe.”

Dureza and Bello informed the President that his clear directives were being relayed “across the table.”

“Our team is now in Europe and we are informed that there are initial positive results so far,“ Dureza said.

Bello, meanwhile, said the team would return home soon to personally brief the President on the results of the informal talks.

“We are doing our best to meet the deadline set by the President about the resumption of talks within 60 days,” he added.    /muf