Group urges govt, NDFP to resume peace talks

MANILA, Philippines - A group of Church-based peace advocates on Friday called on the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines to resume the stalled peace talks.

In a statement, the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform said that it hopes that exchange of accusations between the NDFP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines will not cause the total breakdown of the peace process.

"We call on both sides to go back to the negotiating table, and talk about the next steps that can be taken, to forge a path to a just and enduring peace," the PEPP said.

"We call on both panels to continue to work towards peace and to seriously consider the very root causes of why there is ongoing-armed conflict in our country," added the group,  co-chaired by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma.

The PEPP made the call a day after the government panel and the leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed the historic Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.