The fifth round of the formal talks, which was supposed to tackle the comprehensive agreement on social and economic reforms in August is again on the rocks.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has called on its armed wing to continue its resistance against the imposition of the martial law to which they say would only prolong the restrictions against civil and political freedom in Mindanao.
The government said the announced resumption of the fifth round of peace talks may not proceed if the attacks of the New People’s Army continue.
Four government troopers belonging to the Philippine Security Group were wounded in an encounter with more or less 50 armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army in the boundaries of North Cotabato, Bukidnon and this city on Wednesday morning, July 1.
It was not the first time that activist leaders of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance) were received by President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañan, but there was something different during the meeting this time.
President Rodrigo Duterte meets with members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and lawmakers under the Makabayan bloc in Malacañan on Tuesday night. Duterte also met with the leaders of Bayan in Malacañan last year before his State of the Nation Address.
Barely a week before President Rodrigo Duterte deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), a militant lawmaker on Tuesday said the President’s promised reforms remain “intangible and inedible” especially to the country’s poor sectors.
A Maranao woman leader said the decision to extend martial law in Mindanao spells nightmare for the residents of Marawi City, the Philippines only Islamic city where government troops continue to fight with extremists running for 57 days.
The Philippines Catholic Church is rolling out a a P10-million humanitarian response to the families affected by the ongoing crisis in Marawi.
Various groups have expressed opposition to the plan of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend the imposition of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao.
