The talks are being held in Oslo and will last until February 25. Release of political prisoners and economic reforms on the agenda. The parties resumed negotiations on 16 February after six years of hostilities between the Philippine army and the New People's Army (NPA).

Oslo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Philippine government and communist rebels of the National Democratic Front (NDF) are committed to signing a peace treaty within the next 18 months. This is what has emerged from the first week of talks being held in Oslo (Norway). The two sides resumed negotiations on 16 February after six years of hostilities between the Philippine army and the New People's Army (NPA) an armed wing of rebels, with over 4 thousand men. The talks will last until February 25 next and are the first of the new Aquino administration.

"Our meetings have been difficult - says Alex Padilla, negotiator for the government in Manila - and at times fraught with what would seem to be insurmountable challenges." "However - he added - the talks were frank, candid, and held in a spirit of goodwill characterized by respect for one another's position." For experts, the agreements are still too general and there is still a risk of failure. Manila has promised the release of 14 Communist detainees still in jail and the possible release of four other prisoners. For their part the rebels have pledged to release an unspecified number of people held captive in their camps. However, the rebels refuse to give up levy taxes collected each month by guerrillas in villages controlled by the NPI.

"We want to focus on the agreement in its entirety - says Padilla - and not on particular issues that could derail the agenda of negotiations." " Once we are in full agreement with the NDF - he adds - then we unite as one entity without need of actually resolving this matter (revolutionary tax) and there will be no other entity to collect any tax other than that collected by the government".

The guerrilla war between the Philippine army and communist rebels NPA, has lasted since 1968. It has caused thousands of deaths and destroyed the economy in rural areas of the central regions of the country. Talks between the government and rebels have taken place on and off and in 2004 saw the inclusion of NDF terrorist groups. To date about 4,500 guerrillas are still part of the NPA. 1301 villages are controlled by the rebels. These are mainly concentrated in the provinces of Marinduque, Bohol, Romblon, Lyte and Misamis, all located in the archipelago of the Visayas (central Philippines).

• Philippines
• government
• communist
• rebels
• negotiations
• peace
• deal
• prisoners