Philippine government, leftist insurgents to resume peace talks
The Philippine government and the leftist National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) will resume peace negotiations next month, the talks mediator Norway announced on March 21.
Hanoi (VNA) - The Philippine government andthe leftist NationalDemocratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)will resume peace negotiations next month, the talks mediator Norway announcedon March 21.
In astatement, Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Forner said the fourthround of talks will be held in Noordwijk of the Netherlands from April 2-6.
According to theambassador, this round of talks will focus on issues such as social andeconomic reforms and a bilateral ceasefire agreement.
Despite a lotof challenges ahead, the parties continue show their commitment to peace, hesaid, adding that Norway will continue assisting the two sides as the thirdparty facilitator of the peace process.
In earlyFebruary, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the termination of peacetalks and launched an all-out attack against the insurgents following thekilling of some soldiers. The New People’s Army (NPA), an armed branch of theNDFP, was accused of killing the soldiers.
However, the President’sadvisor on peace process Jesus Dureza announced on March 12 that the governmentand the NDFP agreed to resume peace talks to end the 48-year insurgency.
Dueza said thata unilateral ceasefire will be restored ahead of the talks and takes effectwhen the related force is informed. The two sides also agreed to hold the fifthround of negotiations in June.
꧙ Norway has actedas the peace facilitator between the Philippine government and the NDFP since2001.-VNA
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Illustrative image (Source: AFP)
