61 lawmakers ask Duterte to resume peace negations with rebels

Sixty-one members of the House of Representatives have urged President Rodrigo Duterte to push through with the peace talks with communist rebels.

In House Resolution No. 1803, lawmakers asked Duterte to “resume and continue peace negotiations between the government of the Republic of Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and complete the comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms to lay the basis for a just and lasting peace.”

According to the Solons, if this be granted, Filipino people, especially peasants and workers would get the benefit.

“Continuing the peace talks would benefit the Filipino people most of whom are poor peasants and workers, as the agreements on agrarian reform and national industrialization may address their issues and concerns and help provide relief for their economic hardships,” they said.

As to Bayan Muna party-list Rep.

Isagani Carlos Zarate, “the best government policy to deal with the root causes of the armed conflict is through the peace talks and in implementing genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization.”

Moreover, he also said the government and NDF should not falter in giving peace talks a chance because today is not the time to abandon it.

(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 03/ 26 /18)