MULANAY, Quezon – President Duterte is optimistic the peace negotiation between his administration and the communist rebels would reopen again. So if we are going to talk (peace) again – I believe we will talk again – then you should calm down,” Duterte said in a speech here before the beneficiaries of the government’s land reform program. But if the peace talks fail after 60 days, Duterte said he would still honor his commitment. Duterte said the resumption of talks between the government and the communist rebels, which he had ordered, would be the final straw in his efforts to make peace with the insurgents. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who serves as government peace panel chair, declared that they expected formal talks to start any time now.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 03, 2018 03:33 UTC