(PNA)
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte does not need to clear anything from anyone should he decide to meet and talk to peace negotiators of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
This was emphasized by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana when asked for his comments on the Chief Executive’s plan to talk with NDFP peace negotiators who expressed willingness to meet with Duterte.
“My thoughts and opinion here are irrelevant. We defer to the decision of the President. He has the prerogative to talk to them if he wants to. He doesn’t even have to clear or consult with anybody,” he said in a message sent to reporters Monday.
Earlier, NDFP negotiating panel chair Fidel V. Agcaoili said he and Coni Ledesma have a scheduled a trip to the Philippines this month in connection with their work as members of the NDFP component in the Joint Monitoring Committee under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
“We will be accompanied by Mr. Luis Jalandoni as Senior Adviser to the NDFP Negotiating Panel,” he added.
Agacoili said they were also invited to meet the new Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines.
“In this regard, we welcome the opportunity to meet with the President unless he does not want to, or his military is against it,” he added.
