Duterte: I have to talk to NPA still

Peace talks with communist rebels might soon be revived, President Rodrigo Duterte indicated on Friday.

Duterte made the remark as he ticked off the problems the country was facing such as terrorism, insurgency, and illegal drugs.

"Ang problema ko na lang is itong terrorism, which is really ISIS. ‘Yung Maute was just the face... Ideology ‘to. So I’m facing that. I have to talk to the NPA still," Duterte said.

"And there’s the droga, which remains to be a serious problem for our country," he added.

Duterte spoke at the inauguration of the launch of the Laguindingan Airport (CGY) as the seventh domestic hub of the Cebu Pacific in Cagayan de Oro City.

The statement was made a day after Duterte met with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza and Labor and government peace panel chairperson Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

Asked about Duterte's statement, Dureza said in a text message: "Please take it as he said himself."

GMA News Online had also sought the clarifications of Bello and presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella about the President's statement. —NB, GMA News