Reds see good news in House panel’s push for talks

Communist rebels appeared to be heartened by a House resolution urging President Duterte to return to the negotiating table, expressing readiness to resume formal negotiations for peace with the government.

Fidel Agcaoili, chief negotiator of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), said the umbrella organization of all underground rebel groups was “always open” to resuming talks “in accordance with all signed agreements.”

Among the agreements he cited were The Hague Joint Declaration, Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantee and Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

Communist rebels appeared to be heartened by a House resolution urging President Duterte to return to the negotiating table, expressing readiness to resume formal negotiations for peace with the government.

No condition

Agcaoili, however, said rebels would return to the negotiating table only if the Duterte administration would not impose any condition.

He said the NDFP statement on returning to the talks was spurred by House Resolution No. 1803, passed by the House special committee on peace, reconciliation and unity on Sept. 12.

It urged Mr. Duterte to resume talks with communist rebels.

Agcaoili said the resolution was a positive move and could contribute to the resumption of talks.

“We hope this welcome move can encourage President Duterte to go back to the negotiating table and work towards a just and lasting peace,” Agcaoili said.

He said when Mr. Duterte terminated the talks, the government and rebel negotiating panels had already made significant progress, like agreeing on sections of a deal on agrarian reform and rural development and national industrialization and economic development.