Philippine Government and Communist Rebels Resume Peace Talks

Norway Announces Agreement to End Decades-Long Conflict; Military Operations Continue Despite Talks

The Philippine government and the country's communist rebels have agreed to resume peace talks, aiming to end decades of armed conflict that has killed over 40,000 people.
Norway, which has facilitated the peace process for around 20 years, announced the agreement, revealing that high-ranking delegations from both sides agreed to a 'common vision for peace' last week.
If successful, the rebels, represented by the New People's Army (NPA), the military wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), will end their armed struggle and transform into a political movement.
Despite the agreement, the Philippine military has announced that operations against the rebels will continue, but an eventual peace deal would allow the armed forces to focus on external and territorial defense.
The announcement comes less than a week after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an order granting amnesty to several rebel groups, including former members of the communist movement.