President Rodrigo Duterte affirmed that he is ready to officially cut off peace talks with New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communists Party of the Philippines.
According to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the decision is final. No more talks and even the supposed back-channeling efforts in Netherlands was already cancelled.
President Duterte also stressed that it will only be a waste of time to continue the talks with the reds because it will just end up with name calling and shouting. Nothing new can be expected with them, he said.
As to the serving of formal notice of termination of the peace talks, the president is just waiting for the protocol that he needs to sign.
However, the president clarified that his conflicts with the reds is nothing personal and he remains hopeful for future peace negotiations.
(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 08 / 04/ 17)