WITH the term of President Rodrigo Duterte nearing its end and the government having declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) a terrorist organization, I doubt whether there could still be a chance for truly meaningful peace negotiations between the government of the Philippines (GRP) and the CPP-NPA to be restarted.

President Duterte early in his presidency should be credited for having been serious in negotiating peace with the CPP and its military contingent, the NPA. Unfortunately, the ardent efforts and the sincerity of the President and his peace negotiators were not reciprocated by the CPP-NPA.