The Palace welcomes the announcement of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza in Utrecht, The Netherlands, on the resumption of formal peace talks between the Philippine government and the Communist Party of the Philippines/ New People’s Army / National Democratic Front ( CPP/NPA/ NDF).

We remain hopeful that the leadership of the CPP/NPA/NDF can rein in its forces on the ground in reciprocating the efforts of the Duterte administration to move the peace process forward.

Peace-building, after all, is not the exclusive responsibility of the government. The burden is also shared by those who claim to speak for the underserved.

The resumption of the Peace Talks is a welcome sign that both sides are in agreement about the common good of the Filipino people.