Lorenzana nixes resumption of peace talks with Reds

MANILA — Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said he did not make any recommendations to President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the resumption of peace talks with the communist rebels.

“I have not made any recommendation verbal or written. He knows my stand. And if he asks me what my recom is I would say ‘No, sir, I would not recommend resuming the peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF’ (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front),” Lorenzana said.

Also, Lorenzana said he had been very vocal, spoken and in print, against any more talks with these terrorists.

“Nothing good will ever come of it unless we agree to all their unreasonable demands. Then they will call that progress and take ownership,” the DND chief said. Lorenzana added there is reason for their unreasonable demands/conditions of the rebels.

“Example their CASER (Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms). So they can break off easily, anytime if we do not agree to any part of it and blame the government for being anti-something or whatever,” he added. (PNA)

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