Duterte wants more peace talks, less fighting to solve rebellion

“We have to talk. We cannot fight forever,” said presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday as a pitch to end the decades-long rebellion in the Philippines.

If elected in May, he said his administration would continue the peace talks with the rebels.

READ: Duterte: I’m a socialist, not a communist; last card

The tough-talking mayor earlier said while communists are “a threat to our country,” he said a peaceful resolution could be achieved through peace talks.

After the Bangsamoro Basic Law failed to pass Congress, he said “nothing can appease the Moro people.”

Duterte has suggested federalism to empower local governments in the country, which, in turn, would solve communism in the country.

In 2015, the tough-talking local executive was criticized after he allowed a hero’s burial for slain New People’s Army (NPA) leader Leoncio Pitao in Davao City. IDL