Laviña still hopeful for resumption of talks

By LITO RULONA,
Correspondent

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) administrator and Government Republic of the Philippines (GRP) peace panel member Peter Tiu Laviña is still hoping that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte would resume the peace talks with the communists soon.

In press conference here, Laviña said Duterte could not give in to every demand of the rebels on his say so.

“The other side is asking for the immediate release of political prisoners. Many of those in jail are still facing crimes which under the jurisdiction of the judiciary. Hindi naman puwede utusan ni President ang judiciary to release. Like Nur Misuari, he has to file bail in the same manner for other na hindi na release, they have to file bail,” he said.

He explained that after they can file bail for their respective crimes, the present administration would still ask the House of Congress to pass a bill granting general amnesty which leads to a mass release of political prisoners but still the other side refuses to listen Duterte’s explanation.

“The president must hold something. Mawalan siya ng alas if he release everyone and still have to convene other branches of the government. Some of the political leaders were just release for their involvement in the peace process,” he said.

Laviña said it is still in the process that they will return to their respective jails because the peace process is still suspended and if they (political prisoners) will not return, they would be again the target of the Armed Forces for immediate arrest.

“Hopefully we can resume the talks immediately if these things will come to pass. There is an instruction during the Rome meeting two weeks ago that there has been another scheduled round of talks set on Feb. 22 to 25 for the both panel to discuss the bilateral ceasefire,” he said.

He claimed that the problem with the unilateral ceasefire is no monitoring on both sides.