Philippine talks with communist rebels end with no deal on truce

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Luis Jalandoni, representative of the communist movement the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, Fidel Agcaoili, Communist rebel negotiator, Norwegian Special Envoy Elisabeth Slattum, celebrate after signing a joint statement on what has been achieved in the third round of talks, in Rome, Wednesday, January 25, 2017. (Photo: AP

Published: 4:59am, 26 Jan 2017

A third round of peace talks between the Philippines and communist rebels ended Wednesday with no deal on a permanent ceasefire the government had billed as its primary goal.

Both parties described a week of Norwegian-brokered negotiations on the outskirts of Rome as “successful” in a joint statement that was delayed by last-minute wrangling over wording.

In their statement, the parties noted that “their unilateral indefinite ceasefires remain in place,” but added that “there are issues and concerns related thereto.”

Despite the failure to tie down a permanent ceasefire after agreement on a temporary one in August, diplomats involved in bringing the two sides together told AFP the latest discussions had been cordial and that efforts to bring the two sides closer to a deal had advanced.

Communist rebel negotiator Fidel Agcaoili, Norwegian Special Envoy Elisabeth Slattum and Philippines secretary Silvestre Bello present their joint statement on what has been achieved in the third round of talks, in Rome, Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Photo: AP

Both parties agreed to meet for a fourth round of formal talks in Oslo April 2-6. Officials dealing specifically with the ceasefire issue will meet again sooner, in Utrecht in the Netherlands on February 22-27.