Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday announced that he is creating a five-member panel to represent the province of Negros Occidental in exploratory talks with local leaders of the National Democratic Front.

Frank Fernandez, priest-turned-head of the NDF-Communist Party of the Philippines in Negros, earlier officially announced his willingness to dialog with Marañon to explore avenues of "cooperation in the interest of the masses."

Fernandez, in a recorded message received by the DAILY STAR Tuesday, said the dialog would not constitute localized peace talks, "it will just be a simple exchange of ideas."

Marañon said the five-man panel he is creating will report to directly to him. He also said he expects Fernandez to create his own panel to immediately start talks, discuss specific topics and set ground rules as a first step.

"I will announce the members of the provincial government's panel simultaneously with Fernandez's announcement of his if an agreement is reached," Marañon said.

Discussions on substantial issues will be made as soon as agreements are finalized and they shall be implemented immediately, he said. He added that he hopes the exploratory talks will be finished by January so that all programs and projects will be implemented right away.

Marañon said he did not want to speculate on claims that Fernandez wants to meet with him to form an anti-Arroyo alliance, his interest is in discussing how they can work to accelerate development in the countryside for the poor.

In his statement Tuesday, Fernandez said they are ready to discuss with the governor their concerns against what he called anti-people criminal activities of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army, fascist crimes of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police against the workers and a drug syndicate of a Bacolod businessman.

Fernandez can suggest what kind of projects he wants for the countryside. Economic prosperity in the countryside has to be achieved, but peace is needed to succeed, the governor said.*CPG

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