OSLO, Norway – Inihayag ng National Democratic Front (NDF) nitong Miyerkules ng gabi ang pagbibitiw ni Luis Jalandoni bilang chairman ng peace panel, ilang oras bago magsimula ang ikalawang yugto ng peace negotiations dito. Papalitan siya ni vice chairman Fidel Agcoaili.
“The national leadership of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines has granted the long-standing request of Comrade Luis G. Jalandoni to resign as the Chairperson of the NDFP negotiating panel,” pahayag ng NDFP.
Sinabi rin ng rebeldeng grupo na ipapasok nila si dating Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) chairman Benito Tiamzon bilang miyembro ng panel.
Inihayag ang reorganisasyon sa mabilisang ipinatawag na press conference sa Holmen Fjordhotel na dinaluhan nina Jalandoni, Agcaoili, Tiamzon, at Chief Political Consultant CCP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison.
Ang iba pang mga miyembro ng NDF peace panel ay sina NDF special office for the protection of children chairperson Conni K. Ledesma, NDF representative for Nordic countries Asterio Palima, at Juliet De Lima-Sison.
Ayon sa NDF, matagal nang hiniling ng 81-anyos na si Jalandoni na magbitiw. Mananatili siya bilang Senior Adviser ng panel.
“I have been asking to resign since 11 years ago. I am 81 now. It’s time for younger ones to take over the function of chairmanship,” sabi ni Jalandoni.
Sinabi ni Agcaoili na ‘challenging job’ ang pagiging chairman ng peace panel.
“I find it difficult to take over the role (of chairman), but I will do my best,” aniya.
Samantala, nagpahayag ng kumpiyansa si Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) Ambassador for the Philippine peace process Elisabeth Slattum na mapapanatili sa ikalawang yugto ng mga negosasyon ng Philippine Government (GRP) at National Democratic Front (NDF) ang momentum ng makasaysayang unang serye ng mga pag-uusap dito rin noong Agosto.
(ROCKY NAZARENO)