The fourth round of the formal talks opened around 10 am Monday (4 pm Philippine time), a day late as scheduled after President Rodrigo Duterte issued his conditions before proceeding the formal talks with the communists.
Speaking before the Filipino migrant workers who wanted to join the opening of the fourth round of talks at the Radisson Blu Palace Hotel here on Sunday morning, government chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III said the government panel needed to discuss the instructions from President Duterte with their counterparts from the NDFP.
Following the announcement of government peace panel chair Silvestre Bello III that the Philippine government will not issue a unilateral ceasefire, the Communist Party of the Philippines did not proceed with the issuance of its interim ceasefire on March 31.
Philippine government chief peace negotiator Silvestre Bello III said the government will not declare a unilateral ceasefire prior to the fourth round of talks with the communists in the coming days.
As the fourth round of peace talks draws near between government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, a militant lawmaker urged farmers on Monday to rally behind the working draft on Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms.