UTRECHT, The Netherlands (MindaNews/24 July) -- This was the enigmatic analogy of National Democratic Front (NDF) Chief Political Consultant Prof. Jose Maria Sison, of the tedious peace negotiations between the NDF and the Philippine government.  Both government and the NDF have separately confirmed the resumption of the 4-year old stalled talks to be held in Oslo, Norway next month.

Sison said that if God had to take a week to build the universe, processes involving mortals especially those as important and tricky as peace negotiations must take even longer.

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/09 July) – The National Democratic Front is preparing for the resumption of formal peace talks with the Philippine government in Oslo, Norway “sometime in August 2009,” Luis Jalandoni, chair of the NDFP negotiating panel announced.

“On behalf of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), I wish to announce that preparations are being made by the Negotiating Panels of the NDFP and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) for the resumption of formal talks in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway sometime in August 2009,” Jalanadoni said in a statement issued July 8.

KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/30 December) -- A group of peace advocates in Mindanao has urged the government to resume peace negotiation with the National Democratic Front.

MAASIM, Sarangani (MindaNews/02 Dec) – Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday said the government was not inclined to declare a ceasefire with the communist rebel group during the Christmas holidays.

"Ang pinag-usap usapan namin ay unless na may other circumstances, wala pong ceasefire," Teodoro said (Our discussion [in the cabinet] is that unless there are other circumstances, there will be no ceasefire [with the CPP-NPA-NDF]).