(Malacañang Photo)President Duterte met with representatives of the government and National Democratic Front (NDF) peace panels in Malacañang last Monday, in which he emphasized that he cannot agree to a coalition government with the communists. Ocampo, on the other hand, was joined by NDF panel member Fidel Agcaoili and NDF lawyer Edre Olalia. The government, upon orders of the President, did not pose objections to their temporary liberties to fast-track the peace negotiations. The Oslo talks are expected to tackle substantial issues on socio-economic reforms, political, reforms in the constitution, security and immunity guarantees, cessation of hostilities, and disposition of forces. Duterte had vowed to reopen peace negotiations as a campaign promise during the May, 2016, elections.

Source: Manila Bulletin August 16, 2016 16:07 UTC