THE Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People's Army (NPA) snubbed the localized peace talk ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The rebel group through its spokesperson Ka JB Regalado, in a statement, said they are supporting the peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government Panel based on The Hague Joint Declarations.

The rebels said they have trust and confidence with the NDFP that could bring the people’s substantive agenda in the peace talks.

“The localized peace talk of Duterte is a divisive psywar tactic to trap the CPP-NPA-NDF to surrender," the NPA rebels said.

Duterte is reportedly coming out with an Executive Order for a localized peace talk.

The Philippine Government terminated the official negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines in November of last year as it accused the CPP, the NDFP and the NPA of engaging in acts of violence and hostilities.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. who had made the offer for a localized peace talk since he assumed office about eight years ago has already changed his position on the matter.

The governor said he is against the resumption of the peace talks between the government and the NDFP because it's being exploited by the NPA to their advantage.

He said that instead of going back to the negotiating table, the government should follow the military on what to do with the rebels. (TDE)