Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr recently issued an order granting amnesty to several insurgent groups, including former members of the NPA. (Photo: Reuters) The latest move is the result of the informaldiscussions between the two sides in the Netherlands and Norway since 2022.
The two sides agreed to a principled and peaceful resolution of the armedconflict, they said in their joint statement signed in Oslo on November 23,adding the peace talks will address deep-rooted socio-economic and politicalgrievances.
Announcement on their negotiations came less than a weekafter Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr issued an order granting amnesty toseveral insurgent groups, including former members of the NPA.
The conflict between authorities and the NPA has raged for over 50 years and killed more than 40,000people.
Norway has facilitated the Southeast Asian country’s peaceprocess for around 20 years./.