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| Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte |
MANILA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Friday that the government will stop peace talks with communist rebels, saying the government is just wasting money in negotiating peace with the insurgents.
In a speech in Davao City on Friday, Duterte said, "I believe you, Mr. Sison, We stop talking. We're wasting our time... Let us renew the fighting for another 50 years. It's what you want..."
Duterte was referring to Jose Ma. Sison, the exiled founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
"Let us stop talking. I'm tired. It's a great expense to send people there for nothing. Let's start fighting, stop talking," said the president.
Duterte's statement came a day after he threatened on Thursday to launch an offensive against the communist rebels after the ongoing war to liberate Marawi City from Islamist militant is over.
In his remarks to the troops in Marawi on Thursday, Duterte said he is no longer interested in peace talks with the rebels who are continuing to attack government security forces despite the ongoing peace talks.
"There is a resurgence of attacks. They (the communist rebels) owe us a lot. I no longer want to talk to them. They have killed many of my police and soldiers," Duterte said.
"Once the war in Marawi is finished off, we will reorient and go after the NPA."
Read the full story at Xinhua