The government peace panel on Monday hailed the statement of Luis Jalandoni of the National Democratic Front expressing its willingness to sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the government even before the release of the political prisoners.

“The willingness of the NDF to sign the bilateral ceasefire agreement is indeed a welcome development as this bodes well to a positive atmosphere when we meet again for the third round of talks in January,” government peace panel chairman Silvestre Bello III said in a statement.

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Jalandoni said over the weekend that they are ready to sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement just as long the prisoners will be released within 48 hours of the signing as promised by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The NDF is asking for the release of at least 400 political prisoners as part of the peace talks.

Bello said that the President “remains committed to the release of a substantial number of political prisoners. The President has already shown time and again that he delivers on his word.”

The agreement, said Bello, is “the best gift of the government and the NDF can give to the Filipino this holiday season.”

“May this lead to permanent end of hostilities for the new year leading to a just and lasting peace,” he added.

Both parties declared a unilateral ceasefire last August and a bilateral agreement would be “another milestone” in the peace talks./rga

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