Top leaders of a Philippine leftist rebel group were released Friday from detention so that they can participate in the resumption of the peace talks next week in Oslo, Norway.
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“No, I will not release. The last talks were five years ago and in all these peace efforts spanning under six presidencies, we had breakdown of talks due to preconditions”, Dureza said. The rebels have welcomed the releases of several detained rebels who are to take part in the negotiations as consultants. Concepcion Araneta-Bocala, Tirso Alcantara, Ariel Arbitrario, Kennedy Bangibang, Alex Birondo, Winona Birondo, Renante Gamara, Eddie Genelsa, Alan Jazmines, Ernesto Lorenzo, Alfredo Mapano, Ruben Saluta, Jaime Soledad, Adelberto Silva, Loida Magpatoc, Porferio Tuna Jr., Pedro Codaste, and the Tiamzon couple. Still, he said it was likely that the communists would extend the ceasefire if the Oslo talks go well.
Meanwhile, the government’s choice to lead the peace talks said negotiators were pushing for a deadline of nine to 12 months.
The government and the rebels hope to breathe new life into the peace process by discussing simultaneously the outstanding issues of social and economic reforms, political and constitutional changes, and an end to hostilities.
The 3,000-strong New People’s Army, the armed wing of the communist party, operates mainly in the eastern and southern regions of the country.
The CPP on Friday night declared a seven-day unilateral ceasefire with the government, which would take effect until 11:59 p.m. on August 27, to “celebrate and bolster” the resumption of peace negotiations.
Duterte, likewise, threatened to call off the peace talks if the Maoists continued to use landmines in their attacks on government forces, pointing out it violated worldwide agreements especially the Geneva Convention and the Ottawa Treaty.
The first batch of communist rebel leaders to be released, from left, Adelberto Silva, Concha Araneta-Bocala and Alan Jasminez, display a hashtag during a news conference following their release on bail Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines.
The government responded by saying it would restore a unilateral ceasefire that was declared in July but abruptly withdrawn by Duterte just days later after a rebel ambush.
“(Both panels) have a common understanding about accelerating the peace process.
“As to the official announcement, we should be expecting it within the day”, said Andanar, adding that details of the government ceasefire will be announced later.
The rebels have been waging an armed rebellion to seize power since 1969.
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Norwegian Foreign Minister Berge Brende graced the formal re-opening of the talks, which was last stalled in 2011 under the Aquino administration.
