Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Malacañang sees no reason for the United States to deny a request to have National Democratic Front chairman Jose Maria “Joma” Sison removed from their terror list.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the government will take all necessary steps to ensure Sison, who is part of the negotiating panel, is involved in the process of negotiations.
“The request for the delisting of (Sison) is aligned with the President’s wish to hold peace talks with the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines,” Abella said.
All necessary steps will be taken to ensure the agreements made will be inclusive to all stakeholders involved in the negotiation, he added.
On Wednesday, the Office of the Presidential Peace Adviser on the Peace Process said it would be sending a formal request to the US government for Sison’s removal from its list of international terrorists.
This was among the recommendations agreed upon by negotiators during the last round of talks between the government and the communist group.
Sison fled to the Netherlands three decades ago.
As a political refugee, he can be barred from returning to Europe if he leaves The Netherlands.
Abella said the peace talks are moving forward despite a recent clash between the military and communist rebels.
“The Palace understands that there is activity on the ground, that there is also noise on the ground. However, based on the negotiating panels and based on the actions and the agreements that have been formed, they continue their talks continue forward,” Abella said.
The NDF threatened to withdraw its declaration of a unilateral ceasefire following the death of one of its men in a firefight with government troops in North Cotabato last January 21, 2017.
