Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has instructed officials concerned to start resuming peace talks with the communists, saying he would give it “another last chance”, according to The Manila Times Online on Thursday.
Presidential peace advisor Jesus Dureza said in a statement released to the media on Wednesday that President Duterte stressed the importance of forging a ceasefire agreement to stop mutual attacks and fighting while talks are under way.
“Let’s give this another last chance, he quoted the president as saying, adding that Duterte was committed to providing support, if necessary, in replacement of the revolutionary tax that he wanted be stopped.
Exiled founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines Jose Maria “Joma” Sison welcomed Duterte’s openness to resume peace talks, saying it should be done as soon as possible.
In a statement, Sison said the CPP are open and ready to resume the peace negotiations and expect the government and the National Democratic Front to meet as soon as possible in order to make a significant advance on the basis of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (Caser) which was described as the “heart and soul” of the peace talks.
Sison said the NDF was sincere in forging comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms.
“We hope that from here on, we can make steady and significant advances on the road of realizing peace in accordance with the people’s demand for full national independence, democracy, social justice, economic development and cultural progress,” said Sison.
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