FORMER Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente “Dongkoy” Emano has taken the challenge to lead a localized peace negotiation between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in the province.
Emano, however, said the localized peace talks cannot commence without the guidelines from President Rodrigo Duterte.
Emano said he wants to be guided as to the limitation of the localized peace process.
"Kinahanglan dunay gabayan gikan sa gobyerno kung hain taman ang gahum sa localized peace process," Emano said.
The 75-year-old political kingpin and founder of the local political party Padayon Pilipino said there must also be an agreement first from the other party before the negotiation begins.
Emano said he has received information that the communist party and its armed wing has reportedly agreed that he will lead the local peace talks.
"Kinahanglan dunay pag-uyon sa pikas kay kung wala nan walay pulos. Sa akong nahibaw-an uyon sila nga ako ang magdala sa peace process," Emano said.
It can be recalled that Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano has issued a memorandum requesting the older Emano, who serves as capitol consultant for peace and order, to lead the localized peace process once the guidelines from the national government come out.
The governor said he tapped his father because of the latter's experience in talking peace at the local level with the communist some time in 1986.
"Hangyo man ni Gobernador Bambi nga makapamasin nga makatabang ako sa mapatunhay ang kahusay ug kalinaw sa lalawigan," the older Emano said.