PRRD offers to host peace talks in PH

President Duterte has proposed that the next round of peace talks between the government and communist rebels he labeled as terrorists be held in the Philippines and offered to pay for the lodging expenses of the rebel negotiating panel.

Previous peace negotiations, brokered by Norway, were held in the Netherlands.

“Come home. I will not talk there. Come home. I will subsidize your trip here. I will pay for your billeting, board and lodging,” the President told the rebel group during an agriculture event in Malacañang Thursday.

“‘Wag na masyado ‘yung mahal na hotel. Motel-motel nalang

mas mura. ‘Yang malapitdiyansamgaca rinderia(Don’t stay in expensive hotels. Motels are cheaper, especially those near eateries),” he added.

The President earlier authorized the resumption of the peace talks with the communists but imposed conditions, including a ceasefire pact. Duterte said he was interested in forging peace instead of waging war with rebels that would only lead to more bloodshed.

In his remarks on Thursday, the President laid down anew his conditions before the government sits in the negotiating table: declare a ceasefire and stay within their camps during the peace talks.

“I will talk to you. No coalition government. Second,no collection of taxes. Third, that you confine yourself in camps. Do not go around because there’d always be the possibility of misencounter,” he said.

“So ‘pagna-comply ninyoitolalona ‘yang ceasefire tapos(If you comply with these especially the ceasefire and) no revolutionary tax, you confine yourselves in camps. Do not go out of that camp, then we talk,” he added.

Duterte also extended his offer to provide support to the rebels during the peace negotiations. He said he would distribute rice, food and other relief items to the rebel camps.

“Akoanggagastos(I will be the one to spend) because I’m interested in peace. I know that you have limited cash. Pinapakainlang kayo doonsa Norway (You are just being fed in Norway),” he said.

He expressed hope that the rebels would not waste the chance to jumpstart the peace talks with the government.

“I will invest in peace. I will have to spend money, correct. But I hope that this time you do not waste the opportunity and the peoples’ money,” he said. Last chance to peace Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza said he hopes the two sides have learned from previous negotiations where the talksbroke down after failing to maintain an enabling environment for negotiations.

“There is really an intention of both sides to put an end to this problem, this tragedy of Filipinos killing fellow Filipinos. I’m confident that both sides will grab the last chance to work toward a final settlement,” Dureza said.

“We cannot end the problem of insurgency just by fighting. We need to address the root causes,” he added.

The President stopped the ongoing peace talks in Netherlands in April last year after NPA rebels harassed government positions resulting to casualties on both sides while a bilateral ceasefire was in force.

Durezasaid “there should be no more incidents of attacks so that the people can see the sincerity on both sides.” (With a report from Francis T. Wakefield)