Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison on Wednesday said that the fifth round of talks between communist rebels and the government may resume “in two months” after getting stalled due to President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in the country.
“It’s only a matter of time na pagkasunduan ang paggawa ng fifth round of talks… In 2 months, possible na,” Sison said in an ANC television interview.
Sison added that back channel talks have been sustained and continued to show “common determination” to end the nearly five-decade long insurgency.
“The two sides are showing common determination for the talks. We should not be surprised if in a short time, both sides will announce that in principle, the peace negotiations have not been cancelled but merely held back,” he said.
Peace Process chief Jesus Dureza has yet to respond to Sison’s announcement as of press time.
Following President Duterte’s declaration of martial law, leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines called on its armed wing, the New People’s Army, to ramp up operations and intensify recruitment.
CPP’s actions did not sit well with Duterte, which in turn ordered government negotiators to suspend the 5th round of talks with the communist leaders in The Netherlands.