Democracy and Class Struggle notices the recent activities of the the Philippine Minister of Defense reported by Peter Lee which are undermining the independent foreign policy of President Duterte.
March 15, 2017
As founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and as Chief Political Consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in the peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the NDFP,
I wish to express deep appreciation to President Rodrigo Duterte for deciding to continue the peace negotiations and enabling the GRP to proceed with the scheduled 4th round of formal talks in April as agreed upon by the GRP and NDFP Negotiating Panels during the 3rd round in Rome on 25 January 2017.
It is in the people’s interest for the GRP and the NDFP to pursue the forging of a peace agreement.
The peace agreement should uphold the sovereignty and independence of the Filipino people, strengthen democracy for the exploited and oppressed people, create the conditions for economic development through land reform, national industrialization and expansion of social services and benefits, promotion of patriotic and scientific culture and peace and development in a multipolar world.
The foundations for these can be achieved within the current term of President Rodrigo Duterte.
I wish to inform the public that I have been hospitalized for some time but under the care of a team of medical specialists and other health workers. I am on the way to full recovery. I am presently helping in the preparations for the 4th round of the formal peace talks and hope to participate actively during the 4th round.
Thank you for your attention.
(Sgnd) Prof. Jose Maria Sison
