Duterte willing to re-open peace talks with rebels

President Rodrigo Duterte is willing to re-open peace negotiations with Communist rebels under some conditions.

In a speech during his visit in Oriental Mindoro, the president addressed the NPA, stressing that they are not enemies and that he is looking forward to having a peaceful talk with them.

To prove that he is very much open to this, Duterte said he is even ready to subsidize the peace process, to pay for the hotel and the Left’s expenses.

But for this to take place, Duterte said they have to stop pushing for a revolutionary government.

“You stop your revolutionary government, stop burning in the name of taxation because the businessmen are pitiful,” he said.

But despite demanding the rebels to stop carrying out revolutionary tax, Duterte said he understands why there is a need for them to do so.

“You call it a revolutionary tax. That’s okay with me because they are rebels. And we can understand it, that you die for your principle. The problem is we are also willing to die for what we believe is right,” Duterte said.

The president also expressed willingness to meet in the middle with the NPA.

“And so if we can have a middle ground, I am not closing all doors because that forever is not true,” Duterte said, associating it with a lovers quarrel that if today is bad tomorrow it will be over.

(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 04/ 4 /18)