(Eagle News)– Over 60 lawmakers from the House of Representatives urged President Rodrigo Duterte to resume peace talks between the government and communist rebels.
The call made by 61 lawmakers was made through House Resolution 1803.
These lawmakers were Ruby Sahali Tan, Sarah Elago, Carlos Zarate , Raul Daza, Emmanuel Billones, Carlito Marquez, Melecio Yap Jr., Ariel Casilao, Leo Cueva, Anthony Bravo, Lorna Bautista-Bandigan, Joel Almario, Cesar Sarmiento, Kit Belmonte, Edcel Lagman and Tom Villarin.
Emmi De Jesus, Victor Yap, Noel Villanueva, Benhur Lopez, Eric Singson, Arlene Brosas, Lawrence Fortun, Henry Ong, Raul Tupas, Edwin Ong, Alfredo Garbin Jr., Rodante Marcoleta, Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, Salvador Belaro Jr., Bayani Fernando, Eugene Michael De Vera, Ron Salo, Deogracias Victor Savellano, Teddy Baguilat Jr. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, Manuel Zubiri, Leopoldo Bataoil, Bolet Banal, Juliet Marie Ferrer, Virgilio Lacson, Wilfredo Carminero, Gerald Gullas, Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, Gabriel Bordado Jr., Sabiniano Canama, France Castro, Amihilda Sangcopa, Erico Aristotle Aumentad, Michelle Antonio, Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba, Juliette U, Strike Revilla, Arnel Ty , Antonio Tinio, John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, Edward Maceda, Maximo Rodriguez Jr., Orestes Salon, Jesus Sacdalan and Zajid Mangudadatu were also included.
According to the lawmakers, under Duterte’s term, peace negotiations have already reached “remarkable and unparalleled headway,” with drafts for a Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms and a Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms already being crafted.
As such, they said that “…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.”
“It is the cause for a just and lasting peace that is the very reason to continue the peace negotiations,” they said.
Duterte on November 23 last year signed Proclamation No. 360, which terminates the peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
Duterte had called the communist rebels “terrorists,” following what he said were their atrocious acts including the killing of a baby.