MANILA, Feb. 21 (PNA) — The government remains open to peace discussions with the communist rebels as Communist Party of the Philippines’s founder Joma Sison expressed willingness to continue peace talks with the government.
It was reported that Sison said he’s ready to meet the President in a neutral place.
“Sa kabuuan, nanatili namang bukas ang pamahalaan sa lahat ng mga option na maaaring tahakin dahil ang layunin natin dito ay makamit iyong kapayapaan,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said said in a press briefing on Friday in Malacanang.
“Kaya nga hindi naman tayo nagfo-focus sa Bangsamoro lamang. Patuloy na umiiral iyong mga pakikipag-usap, pakikipagtalakayan sa lahat ng mga kasapi ng ating lipunan na mayroon pang nabibinbing usapin katulad nga noong sa CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front),” he added.
Secretary Teresita Deles of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process has been coordinating with the Norwegian facilitator to open the talks with communist rebels, he said.
The Philippine government wants to clarify the intention of the rebels since this proposal is new and a turn-around from their previous position, Coloma said.
Both sides halted talks due to disagreements on rebel’s demands. Communist rebellion in the Philippines is one of the longest running insurgency in Asia. (PNA)