Duterte: Reds ‘insisting’ on resuming peace talks

FILE – NO HOMECOMING Luis Jalandoni (left) and Fidel Agcaoli, leaders of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, have aborted plans of coming home to the Philippines, saying that without a meeting with President Duterte, it would be fruitless to talk with his representatives. —AP

MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said the communist rebels are “insisting” on resuming peace negotiations with the government.

“I don’t know but they are insisting on resuming the talks and ‘yung iba, I will not mention the name, want to come home to talk,” Duterte said in his speech during the oath-taking of newly promoted star-rank police officers.

“Two of them. As a matter of fact, sabihin ko na si (Luis) Jalandoni pati si (Fidel) Agcaoili,” he added.

Agcaoili and Jalandoni of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) represent the communist rebels in the peace talks with the government.

In November last year, Duterte first announced that Agcaoili and Jalandoni were eyeing to return to the Philippines to meet with him.

READ: Duterte eyes meeting with Red negotiators 

Talks between the government and communist leaders collapsed in 2017 over alleged continued rebel attacks on state troops.

Duterte formally ended peace negotiations with the communist group early this year, telling them to just “talk to the next President.”

READ: Duterte shuts door on peace talks

READ: Duterte to Reds: Comply with my terms for peace talks to resume