Active members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and government representatives have come together for the first time for exploratory peace talks in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. CPP-NPA members arrived unarmed and seeking to start a new life. More than 30 barangays are known to be affected, are influenced and threatened by the Leftist armed group. Almost 90% of the residents are Indigenous Peoples (IPs) who live in remote areas, making government services inaccessible. Taking off from the exploratory talks, the Regional Task Force ELCAC of Zamboanga Peninsula is eyeing the creation of a peace panel that will directly deal with rebel returnees. The Dipolog localized peace talks are part of the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 of the Whole Nation Approach meant to end local Communist armed conflict in the country.
