Restrict yourselves to camps, too, Duterte says
(Eagle News) –President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, April 4, said the government would “talk peace” with communist rebels “but” there should be no collection of taxes on their part.
In a speech before rice traders in Malacanang, Duterte said the communist rebels should also not push for a coalition government, and should confine themselves in camps.
“You must not go around because there’s always the possibility of misencounters,” Duterte said.
The President made the pronouncement a day after he directed government officials to “work toward the resumption” of peace talks, which he called off last year due to what he said were the atrocities committed by communist rebels.
Peace Secretary Jesus Dureza said the President also gave “clear instructions on the importance of forging a ceasefire agreement to stop mutual attacks and fighting while talks are underway” during the 24th Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, April 3.
Duterte also made Thursday’s pronouncement after Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Joma Sison said he welcomed the President’s directive, but noted that there should be no preconditions for the resumption of talks.
Dureza has said, however, that these were not “preconditions” but were relevant elements to an “enabling environment.”