Duterte shuts door on peace talks: Talk to the next President

MANILA, Philippines – “Talk to the next President.”

This was the message of President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday as he slammed the door on the possible resumption of peace talks with the communist rebels.

“I am officially announcing the termination of the talks between the government peace panel and the Communist Party of the Philippines,” Duterte said in his speech at the 122nd anniversary celebration of the Philippine Army.

“I am no longer entertaining any interventions or persuasions in this democratic state of the Republic of the Philippines,” he added.

The President has terminated the appointment of peace negotiators following the collapse of the peace talks.

“My sense is that maybe you can talk to the next President of this republic one day,” he said. /muf