By Jaime Laude
MANILA, Philippines - With a rebellion that is now nearly half a century old, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) hopes that the third round of peace negotiations between the government and the Communist rebels will finally result in the signing of an indefinite ceasefire agreement.
The government panel and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) will meet in Rome on Jan. 18 to 25 to thresh out issues like social and economic reforms, rebel taxation, extortion and militarization, among others.
“We hope everything will be finalized to ensure the success of the peace talks,” said Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP Public Affairs Office chief.
While the AFP is not a party to the peace negotiations, he said the government panel is also asking for inputs from the military.
Some observers see the Rome round of talks as a make or break stage that could determine if the peace efforts are still to be pursued.
Read the full story at The Philippine Star