Resume talks, Loren urges

Sen. Loren Legarda. File photo from Office of Sen. Loren Legarda

Sen. Loren Legarda on Saturday called on government and communist rebels to go back to the negotiating table, saying a combative stance by both sides would just cause further bloodshed that has long marred the protracted struggle to broker peace.

In a statement, Legarda expressed support for a resumption of talks, saying there remained a “reservoir of goodwill” on both sides to restart the process.

“I support the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). I call on all parties to continue the peace talks,” Legarda said in a statement.

“More death and suffering will be the result of the resumption of hostilities, which neither the government or the NDFP-CPP-NPA can win,” she said.

Earlier this week, President Duterte had declared an all-out war against the communist rebels following his termination of what was an initially promising process.

Both sides had also terminated a unilateral ceasefire they had separately declared.