(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a proclamation officially terminating peace talks with the communist rebels.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front would no longer be pursued under Proclamation 360.
The President also directed the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Panel for Peace Talks with the group to cancel meetings, Roque said.
According to Roque, while the President has “always wanted to leave a legacy of peace under his administration,” and has “walked the extra mile for peace,” the NDFP-CPP-NPA has engaged in acts of violence and hostilities.”
“Rest assured that (the President) will continuously pray that we may all find the peace that we seek for our beloved country in the fullness of God’s time,” Roque said.
Duterte said he no longer wanted to pursue peace talks with the communists as early as this year.
This was following what he said were the killings of his soldiers by the rebels despite an existing ceasefire.
It was only now, however, that a proclamation was signed to make his verbal directive official.
On Thursday, Jose Maria Sison, CPP founder, lashed out at Duterte, calling him “the No. 1 terrorist in the Philippines.”