Govt, communist rebels open talks after truce

The Philippine government and communist rebels have opened peace talks in Norway, seeking to end nearly five decades of conflict that has killed tens of thousands of fighters and civilians. Negotiators declared on Monday that they hoped to reach a deal within nine months to a year, and expressed optimism that the talks, the first […]

The Philippine government and communist rebels have opened peace talks in Norway, seeking to end nearly five decades of conflict that has killed tens of thousands of fighters and civilians.
Negotiators declared on Monday that they hoped to reach a deal within nine months to a year, and expressed optimism that the talks, the first formal meeting in five years, would be successful under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“There is fresh euphoria among our people about the prospects of peace negotiations,” Jesus Dureza, a top government negotiator, said at the opening of the talks in Norway’s capital, Oslo.
Both sides announced ceasefires starting on Sunday before the five-day negotiations.
“Duterte has shown magnanimity and generosity,” Jose Maria Sison, the exiled founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines who lives in the Netherlands, said.