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By Prince Golez, Manila Reporter
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Monday, January 30, 2017
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Foreign Affairs minister Perfecto Yasay (leftmost), National Democratic Front of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison (center) and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process secretary Jesus Dureza shake hands for the press prior to the formal opening of peace talks in Rome on Jan. 19. OPAPP
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MANILA – Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan expressed his support for the government’s call to remove Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison from the United States’ terrorist list.
Sison’s de-listing would help speed up the peace process and pave the way for ending armed conflicts between the government and the National Democratic Front, Pangilinan said.
The lawmaker also lauded the two parties in continuing the peace negotiations despite possible complications, including a recent firefight between government forces and the New People’s Army (NPA).
Last Jan. 21, the Armed Forces of the Philippines engaged NPA rebels in a firefight in Makilala North Cotabato.
The hour-long clash killed one NPA rebel, the Army said, also denying the claim of the communist group that they killed eight soldiers.
“The decades-long hostilities plaguing our nation have cost countless lives and the country’s progress. We should love to see the day that all Filipinos, regardless of political beliefs, become united as one people. It is time for our nation to heal and have peace,” he said.
Earlier, the Office of the Presidential Peace Adviser on the Peace Process said they will request the United States government to remove 77-year-old Sison from its list of international terrorists.
“The request for the delisting of Sison is alight with [President Rodrigo Duterte’s] wish to hold peace talks with the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines,” said Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella.
Sison, living in exile in the Netherlands since 1987, once said he would return home once Duterte becomes the president.
“The prospects (for peace talks under the Duterte government) seem to be bright at the moment,” the rebel leader said on his Facebook page./PN
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