Gov’t, Reds hold dialogues to revive peace talks – Duterte

FILE. Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza (right), Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III (second from right) , shake hands with Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison (left) and Fidel Agcaoili (center) of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines after they sign an agreement in Rome, Italy, that would be the basis for future talks on socio-economic reforms. (Photo release from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process)

President Rodrigo Duterte revealed on Tuesday that the government was in “backchannel talks” with the communist rebels in a bid to resume the peace talks.

But Duterte did not give details so as not to derail the informal communication with the communist group.

“Well, ano lang, (let’s just) hang on, hang on kasi… (because…) [we] do not [want to] spoil [this effort]. We have… well I must admit nasa (it’s in the) backchanneling [stage],” he said in an ambush interview with reporters in Malacañang.

On February 4, Duterte said the peace talks would no longer continue, unless there is a compelling reason to do so.

The President’s decision to end the peace negotiations came after a series of encounters with government troops and rebel members.

In his speech in Cagayan de Oro last week, Duterte said he was open to the possibility of reviving the scrapped peace talks.