BACK channel efforts to address the apparent misunderstandings betweent the government and the communists are ongoing to pave way for the resumption of the terminated peace talks, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday.
“Hang on. Hang on. Do not spoil. I must admit there’s a backchanelling,” Duterte told reporters after the event of the Department of Agriculture held at Palace’s Rizal Hall, when asked for an update on the possible revival of peace negotiations.
Duterte, on March 4, expressed oppenness to resume the peace dialogue of the government with the communist rebels, if they show their “sincerity.”
He said he is ready to talk to them but they should first release their hostages and stop being involved in hostile activities.
Duterte had scrapped the entire peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) after it lifted the unilateral ceasefire with the government. He had also lamented that the peace negotiations with the communist group might not be unattainable during his term.
He, however, had toned down as he said, “I’m ready to talk and I’m ready to stop the war. I would prefer for us to not have war, but we need to talk from the heart.”
Following Duterte’s latest pronouncement, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jesus Dureza said the government’s peace panel would take the next and necessary steps on the possible resumption of peace talks. (VoxPop Philippines)
