Malacanang tells the National Democratic Front (NDF) to reconsider their demand to release 14 jailed communist leaders. This is the NDF’s precondition to the resumption of the peace talks.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said that it is unfortunate that the NDF “made a 180 degree turn on the requirements for the resumption of peace talks.”
Ermita further explained that the government cannot take it upon itself to quash the warrant of arrests. “The 14 jailed communist leaders, committed crimes punishable under the revised penal code,” he adds.
Despite the setback, the government is still determined to continue the peace process.
NDF is the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New Peoples’ Army (NPA). (PIA)
