President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the release of 14 convicted rebels in line with his revived dedication in forging a peace settlement with the communists.
Despite having disagreements with the left, President Duterte said he cannot wage a war against his fellow Filipinos.
“I just released 14 prisoners from Bilibid, they are communists who have been convicted, ” he said in Hong Kong Saturday with over a thousand Filipinos present.
“Sometimes there is irritation and exchange of words. But I’m a president for peace. I cannot be a wartime president. I cannot afford to fight with anybody especially to wage war against my people,” he further elaborated.
Duterte did not go into further details with the identities of the freed rebels.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic front (NDF), the communist party’s representative in the talks, has been requesting for the release of their fellow members whom they describe as political prisoners. Amid disagreements, Duterte remains optimistic that the government and the rebels will come to a consensus regarding the peace efforts.
In February, Duterte scrapped the peace talks not granting the NDF’s request to release 400 rebels whom they claim are political prisoners. Following the rejection, the rebels canceled unilateral ceasefire and launched an attack against the government’s forces. Negotiations resumed last month after a series of private talks between the two.
The government and the NDF have sealed a joint ceasefire in an effort to ensure the success of the peace talks and will immediately take effect once the negotiators approve its guidelines.
Credit: AP/Bullit Marquez
