Gov’t cancels back-channel talks with Reds

Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jesus Dureza INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

The scheduled back-channel talks with the communist rebels was cancelled on Wednesday, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said.

READ: Duterte threatens to end peace initiatives if rebel attacks persist

The back-channel talks by the government peace panel were supposed to take place in this month with its counterparts at the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

READ: Gov’t-NDF stalled peace talks resume in August

“I am announcing the cancellation of back-channel talks with the CPP/NPA/NDF originally set within the next few days in Europe due to recent developments involving attacks done by the NPAs,” Dureza said in a statement.

READ: Duterte security men ambushed in North Cotabato; 6 wounded

“The situation on the ground, necessary to provide the desired enabling environment for the conduct of peace negotiations, are still not present up to this time,” he added. JPV