President Duterte has green-lighted the release of about 20 political prisoners ahead of the 48th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Dec. 26, government peace panel chair Silvestre Bello III said on Monday.
Mr. Duterte had earlier rejected the demand of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the CPP鈥檚 political arm, to set free 130 detained insurgents, saying he had given 鈥渢oo much, too soon鈥� to the communists.
In an interview, Bello, also the labor secretary, said Mr. Duterte would sign the release order for the political detainees before Christmas Day.
He said among those who would be freed were 鈥渆lderly and sickly prisoners鈥� on humanitarian considerations.
Mr. Duterte has also agreed to pardon some of the political detainees while others will be released through 鈥渂ail recognizance,鈥� Bello said.
鈥淭hey are mostly sickly, elderly and women (prisoners),鈥� Bello told reporters.
When asked if the release of the political prisoners has been approved in principle by Mr. Duterte, he replied: 鈥淢ore or less, because that鈥檚 what he has mentioned.鈥�
Asked if the NDFP panel had already been notified of Mr. Duterte鈥檚 decision, he said: 鈥淚 think they are expecting.鈥�
Mr. Duterte, who often described himself as the country鈥檚 first 鈥渟ocialist president,鈥� initiated the revival of peace negotiations with the NDFP.
The talks were stalled during the Arroyo and Aquino administrations.
Mr. Duterte also declared a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP鈥檚 armed component, the New People鈥檚 Army, to encourage the talks.