Peace talks must focus on ending insurgency

It is striking that the spearhead of House Resolution No. 1803 – which calls for government resumption of peace talks with the communist group in the country – are lawmakers who identify themselves with the militant Left or its causes. Sixty-one House representatives are urging President Rodrigo Duterte’s government to resume the negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines and the new Peoples Army (CPP-NPA).

The sympathizers and supporters of the CPP-NPA are the ones most anxious to get the negotiations going again. This means it is the communists who are pressing for the peace talks and are prepared to seriously consider steps toward ending insurgency and strife in the country.