Angara recommends resumption of peace negotiations with Reds

Newly installed Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara recommended to President Estrada yesterday the possible resumption of peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Acting Press Secretary Mike Toledo said the possible resumption of the peace talks is one of the "reforms" the President is lining up as soon as his much-hoped acquittal in the ongoing impeachment trial comes.

"(This is) part of the reform policies and new beginnings that President Estrada has been talking about all along," Toledo said.

The communist group backed out from the peace discussions following the Senate ratification of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States in 1999.

But Toledo said, "Just because, for example, they (CPP-NPA-NDF) are unwilling to talk, does not mean the government will not try, at least, to extend the hands of peace as far as it can, subject, of course, to certain limitations."

Toledo said Angara did not specify whether the possible resumption of talks will be on the provincial, regional or national level. — Marichu Villanueva