Oslo, Norway – With pieces of a 47-year puzzle falling into place, the Philippine government and National Democratic Front (NDF) agreed Tuesday on three of the five issues calendared for discussions at the resumption of peace talks here. The four-hour morning session had the two panels breezing though contentious issues covering the affirmation of previously signed agreements, the reconstitution of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) list, and the accelerated process for talks on socio-economic, political and constitutional reforms, and end of hostilities and disposition of forces. “There wasn’t any hitch at all. The negotiations went fast and smooth,” said Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza. Dureza said the NDF panel submitted an initial list of 114 names it wants included in the reconstituted JASIG list. Those in this list will be assured of “immunity from arrest, harassment, and prosecution in recognition of their participation in the peace [...]
