MALACAÑANG on Thursday expressed hope it can seal a peace agreement with the
Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-
NPA-NDF) during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, stressing its importance
in the country’s journey towards lasting peace and genuine development.
During the regular press briefing on Thursday at Malacanang, Presidential Spokesman
Edwin Lacierda bared this statement since the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF formally
resumed its peace talks early this year.
Undersecretary Alexander A. Padilla, chair of the Government Panel for Peace Talks with
the CPP-NPA-NDF and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Ging Delles told
the Palace that the recent development in the on-going peace talks manifested a positive
progress to head for the sealing of agreement.
“Based on updates of Sec. Ging Delles and Usec Padilla on the progress of the peace talks it
seems that there is a sign that the peace talks signing will push through,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda said the Palace is leaving the matter to Usec. Padilla who continues getting the
pulse and sentiment of the other party. “Based on what Usec Padilla had stated, I think it’s
based on his experience in talking with the other party, we will leave it at that,” he said.
“Peace negotiation is only one element in our nation’s journey towards lasting peace and
genuine development. While we will try our best to reach agreement on the substantive
issues, in the end, any agreement will remain a mere piece of paper unless the roots of
the conflict are resolved and a just and equitable peace is achieved and enjoyed by all.
Fortunately, we represent a government that is well on its way on that path,” Usec Padilla
said in an earlier statement. (PCOO)
