The fate of the peace talks with the communist rebels remains in the hands of the military, President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday night.
Duterte issued the statement three months after the collapse of the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), and following the visit of Norwegian government officials, the third party facilitator in the peace process.
鈥淪o I鈥檓 talking to the communists. The Norwegian officials came here to explore the possibility of talking again. I have to consult my military people. Why? Eh sila 鈥榶ung namamatay eh, hindi naman ako. Sabi ko, 鈥業 will talk to the military. If you would agree, I might [consider resuming the peace talks]鈥�,鈥� Duterte said in a speech at the Manila Hotel on Monday evening.
But the President said he would not 鈥渨aste his time鈥� thinking about the possible resumption of peace talks.
鈥淣gayon, hindi ko paggastusan ng panahon. I am not thinking about it even. Why? Because now it鈥檚 beyond my control. I have to get the [military鈥檚 recommendation]. How do you feel? What鈥檚 your take? It is good for us to fight forever or mag-usap tayo?鈥� he noted.
But if the military would recommend to pursue the fight against the New People鈥檚 Army (NPA), Duterte said he would not object to this.
鈥淎nd I will tell you, 鈥榩ag sabi nila, 鈥楿busin na lang natin, Mayor鈥�, oh it鈥檚 fine.聽Sabi ni Sison, hambugero, 鈥榢ill one soldier a day鈥�. Eh di sinabi ko, 鈥榊ou kill one NPA and I鈥檒l give you聽鈧�25,000鈥�,鈥� he said.聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 /kga