President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his commitment to complete the peace process with the communist rebels following his meeting with “leftist” members of his Cabinet in Malacañang on Monday. “The President reiterated his desire and passion of bringing about just, lasting, and inclusive peace in the land,” Dureza said. The President scrapped the peace talks after CPP canceled its unilateral ceasefire over the government’s failure to release hundreds of political prisoners. Duterte said he had “walked the extra mile” to bring peace by resuming talks and freeing rebel leaders. Malacañang had said that peace talks can resume if the communist group stop extorting money from citizens and other hostile acts.

Source: Manila Times February 21, 2017 16:11 UTC