Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte scraps peace talks with communists

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President Rodrigo Duterte said his government is pulling out of peace talks with the country’s communist movement. Photo: EPA

Published: 2:29pm, 5 Feb 2017Updated: 2:36pm, 5 Feb 2017

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday evening his government is pulling out of peace talks with the country’s communist movement, a day after he lifted the government’s unilateral ceasefire with the insurgents.

In an interview with the media in his hometown of Davao on Mindanao island, Duterte said his position to scrap the negotiations, which resumed when he won the presidency in June last year, will not change anymore throughout the remainder of his six-year term, unless a compelling reason to revive it “in the interest of the nation” comes up.

President Rodrigo Duterte mourning on the coffin of Police Officer Jerome Ruefa, who according to authorities was killed by members of communist rebel group New People's Army. Photo: EPA

“I’ll just order the Philippine contingent – [led by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Processes Jesus] Dureza, [government lead negotiator with the communists Silvestre] Bello, and company – to fold up their tents and come home,” Duterte said.

The current talks are being held in Norway, which had been serving as third-party facilitator. The on-and-off negotiations began in 1987, around two decades after the communist movement started waging war against the government, including attacks on private businesses.