Duterte: Gov’t panel can always revive talks with Reds ‘at some other time’

Despite his strong statements against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, as the government's chief negotiator, can revive the talks with the communists "some other time."

The rebels, however, should stop their illegal activities, including their collection of "revolutionary taxes" from businessmen, Duterte said at the  84th anniversary celebration of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Bulacan.

"Itong mga left na kausap ni Bebot (Bello's nickname), they have to agree to stop imposing revolutionary taxes. We can subsidize the talks and the billeting, ako na ang maggastos. But they have to stop," he said.

"But Bebot and company can always resuscitate it (peace talks) at some other time," Duterte added.

Duterte had repeatedly said he doesn't want to talk to the communists after the rebels launched attacks against security forces that resulted in the deaths of several civilians. He said the last straw was the death of a four-month-old baby in Bukidnon last month.

Duterte on Tuesday signed Proclamation Order No. 374 declaring the CPP and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), as terrorists to stress his point.

On Thursday, Bello hinted that the talks can still be revived under the Duterte administration.

"Sino ang nagsabi na walang pag-asa? Honestly, I'm sad dahil alam ko naman na ang legacy na iniisip na ibigay ng Pangulo sa ating bansa is a just, inclusive, lasting peace,"  Bello told reporters after welcoming overseas Filipino workers at the airport with the President in Clark.

Bello reiterated that an enabling environment is required to resuscitate the peace talks. —KBK, GMA News