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Manila: The Philippine government will call for a halt to recent attacks by communist rebels that have killed more than 100 civilians and soldiers during a proposed resumption of Norwegian-brokered peace talks, an official said on Tuesday.
Government negotiators also will reiterate a demand that the 5,000-strong New People's Army agree to a cease-fire and stop attacks on foreign mining companies, presidential peace talks adviser Hermogenes Esperon said.
"It's really hard to talk when you could not even agree to have a ceasefire," Esperon said.
The rebels have spurned similar calls in the past, saying any truce with government troops before a peace agreement is concluded would be tantamount to surrender of their 40-year insurrection.
The rural-based Maoist insurgents have stepped up attacks across the Philippines, targeting police and soldiers.
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