Philippines: Defence Minister open to peace talks with rebels
Peace talks between the government and the New People’s Army to end nearly five decades of conflicts might still take place despite President Duterte’s call for an all-out war against the rebel group.
Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana on February 7 said thatpeace talks between the government and the New People’s Army (NPA) to endnearly five decades of conflicts might still take place despite PresidentRodrigo Duterte’s call for an all-out war against the rebel group.
Lorenzana madethe statement in the context of conflicts still happening in some places andthe government’ troops arrested some leaders of the NPA.
Speaking at thenews conference, Lorenzana stressed that President Duterte does not completelyclose the door to any negotiation and the government remains open to peace talksif they bring benefits to Filipinos.
On February3, the President also declared to annul the unilateral ceasefire with the NPAwhile the Philippine army pledged to have no mercy on the rebel group. One daylater, he announced that the Government will cancel peace talks with the NPA.
The conflictbetween the government troops and the NPA has killed 30,000 people in the pastfive decades.-VNA
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Illustrative image (Source: AFP)
