GRP, NDF forge agreementsOSLO, Norway – The peace negotiations between the Philippine Government (GRP) and National Democratic Front (NDF) advanced to heights never before reached in over 40 previous meetings in the last three decades, forging pivotal agreements on socio-economic reforms (SER), political and constitutional reforms (PCR), and end of hostilities-disposition of forces (EDH-DOF) ahead of the formal closing of the discussions here, Sunday. These committee and group reports were to be submitted to the GRP and NDF panels early Sunday for review. Exhibiting a great amount of patience, they literally worked around the clock and refused to be stymied by minor differences of opinions,” said Labor Secretary and GRP Peace Panel Chair Silvestre Bello III. Bello also proposed that a joint agreement on a bilateral ceasefire be signed on October 26 in Davao City, which will be witnessed by President Duterte. Described as the “heart and soul” of the peace agreement, the CASER covered agrarian reform, national industrialization and foreign policy.

Source: Manila Bulletin October 09, 2016 14:37 UTC