New violence scuppers Philippine peace talks

The Philippine government has scrapped preliminary peace talks with communist rebel leaders in Europe due to continuing guerrilla attacks.

New violence yesterday killed a government militiaman and wounded at least four presidential guards in the country’s south, officials said.

Presidential adviser Jesus Dureza said the meetings between government representatives and the rebels planned in the next few days in Europe were cancelled because the conditions “necessary to provide the desired enabling environment for the conduct of peace negotiations are still not present up to this time”.

It is the latest discord that has hampered talks between the guerrillas and the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to end the 48-year rebellion.