OSLO, Norway – The peace talks between the government and Communist Party of the Philippine have apparently been going so well that CPP leaders are now talking of extending the unilateral ceasefire it issued before the start of the negotiations.
In Manila, President Duterte yesterday announced a formal ceasefire with the Reds effective 11:35 p.m. last Wednesday. The President directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National police to avoid “hostile acts” against the rebels.
He had earlier announced the government’s unilateral ceasefire before the start of the negotiations here in Oslo.
CPP Chairman Jose Maria Sison, who has been in exile in the Netherlands for over a decade, hinted of a “new ceasefire” from the CPP should the current negotiations end well.
“Goodwill ceasefire will end, and then a new ceasefire order will take over,” said Sison, also the National Democratic Front Chief Political Consultant, Wednesday during a break as the two sides took a tour of the city hosted by the Royal Norwegian Government, official third party facilitator of the talks. (Rocky Nazareno)