Duterte determined to talk with Reds despite word war with Sison

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte was hurt by the sharp exchanges against him and Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Maria Sison but remains determined to push through with peace negotiations, a Palace official said on Tuesday.

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said that the president "gave assurances that he will walk the extra mile for peace."

Dureza will head the Philippine delegation during the opening ceremonies of the resumption of the formal peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway on August 22.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that Duterte assured the National Democratic Front (NDF) lawyers that their consultants will fly to Norway. The NDF is the political arm of the CPP.

"The president instructed the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation and the Department of Foreign Affairs to assist the NDF consultants who will be travelling to Oslo, Norway over the weekend for the formal talks slated for Monday next week," government peace panel member Angela Librado-Trinidad said in a statement.

The Supreme Court earlier granted provisional liberty for leftist leaders former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Randall Echanis and Vicente Ladlad to attend the negotiations in Norway.

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Duterte had vowed to reopen peace negotiations during his campaign for the May 9 elections.

During his first State of the Nation Address last July 25, Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire with the communist rebels.

The president, however, lifted the truce after members of the New People's Army (NPA) attacked government troops in Davao del Norte. The CPP-NPA-NDF also failed to reciprocate the ceasefire within the deadline given by the president.