21 July 2017

News Story: President Duterte threatens to end peace talks with militant groups

New People’s Army (NPA) Rebels
Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on July 19 threatened to end peace talks progress with an opposite militant group, hours after an attack on the presidential vehicles wounding at least four of his military bodyguards.

Duterte directed not to resume official peace talks with the New People’s Army (NPA) militant group unless the guerrillas promise to stop attacks on government soldiers in southern Mindanao province, said a statement issued by the presidential palace.

To end two-month impasse of the negotiation progress, Duterte planned to send negotiators to discuss a possible bilateral ceasefire agreement, the government statement said.

But it warned that for formal peace talks to resume, the rebels must commit to suspending operations against the military and the police and stop all their extortion activities.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus