Duterte backs local talks with communists in Davao

President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday expressed support for his daughter’s plan to push for localized peace talks with communist rebels in Davao.

The President’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara “Inday” Duterte, earlier said she wanted to pursue localized peace talks amid the suspension of the formal negotiations between the government and the communist party’s political arm, National Democratic Front.

“On Inday’s local initiative, I am encouraging her (to continue it). And to the New People’s Army, do not take it so badly. It’s not compulsory. Those who only want respite, ( join the peace negotiation),” Duterte said upon his arrival in Davao City after his Japan trip.

The fifth round of talks scheduled on May 27 to June 1 were cancelled because of “challenges” faced by both parties. The talks were supposed to resume in August, but Duterte again called it off because of intensified attacks by rebels following the declaration and extension of martial law in Mindanao.

No formal notice on the termination of talks has been issued by the government and the President has been flip-flopping, saying there would be no more talks and then later retracting it.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, government’s chief peace negotiator, earlier said the President was “not abandoning” his promise to seek “lasting peace” by forging an agreement with the communists under his six-year term.

In his latest pronouncement, Duterte reiterated that several jobs await members of the communist party who are willing to surrender.

Duterte added that he would “take care of them,” if they decide to cooperate with the government in its pursuit for peace and order.

“If you are tired (of ) killing another human being, you’re always invited to go back mainstream. Return and I will take care of you. And eventually, just to prepare you for the entry into the mainline of society, mainstream rather,” he said.