“In my particular case as chief political consultant of the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines), I cannot give up the legal protection that I enjoy under the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights and practically surrender myself to a regime and its armed minions that are notorious for gross human rights violations,” the communist leader wrote.

Among the contentious issues are the venue of the peace talks and the freedom for elderly and sickly political prisoners, as well as the safety and immunity guarantees for the NDFP consultants in the peace negotiations

Bello said he briefed Duterte late Wednesday regarding the fruitful results of his recent meeting with leaders of the CPP and the National Democratic Front (NDF).

“Anything not yet to be resolved has to be resolved in an informal meeting prior to the formal meeting to resume the peace negotiation,”

“The NDFP cannot submit itself to any situation and process in which it comes under the duress, control, and surveillance by the armed minions of Duterte,”

“There is hard work ahead for negotiators and consultants … for the peace negotiations to move forward,”

Holding peace negotiations in neutral territory is standard practice among peace processes in history

Sison said the planned meeting between him and the President, as reported by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, is not a remote possibility but may not happen in the Philippines