RP suspends peace talks

Wed, 12 Nov 1997 | Source: AFP

MANILA (AFP): The Philippine government said yesterday it was suspending peace talks with Communist guerrillas until insurgents freed a police officer they seized near Manila last month.

Manila "is suspending formal discussions on the substantive agenda of the peace talks with the (rebel) leadership in the Netherlands until the safe release of Rodriguez chief Police Superintendent Rene Francisco" and another policeman, chief negotiator Howard Dee said in a statement.

The talks are aimed at ending a 28-year antigovernment campaign by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its New People's Army (NPA).

The two policemen were seized in an NPA raid of the town, about 30 kilometers east of Manila on Oct. 30.

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