RP to raise rebel attacks in Norway talks (5 p.m.)
MANILA — The Philippine government will call for a halt to recent attacks by communist rebels that have killed more than 100 civilians and soldiers during a proposed resumption of Norwegian-brokered peace talks, an official said Tuesday.
Government negotiators will also reiterate a demand that the 5,000-strong New People’s Army (NPA) agree to a cease-fire and stop attacks on foreign mining companies, presidential peace talks adviser Hermogenes Esperon said.
“It’s really hard to talk when you could not even agree to have a cease-fire,” Esperon said.
The rebels have spurned similar calls in the past, saying any truce with government troops before a peace agreement is concluded would be tantamount to surrender of their 40-year insurrection.
The rural-based Maoist insurgents have stepped up attacks across the Philippines, targeting police and soldiers to seize weapons and foreign mining companies and other big businesses to extort funds.
The rebels backed out of peace talks brokered by Norway in 2004, saying the Philippine government instigated their inclusion on US and European terrorist blacklists. Norway has been trying to revive the process by arranging “exploratory talks.” (AP)
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