In the Philippines, the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the New People’s Army, the military wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, will revive peace talks for the first time in six years, facilitated by Norway. The negotiations were abruptly halted in 2017 by then-President Rodrigo Duterte. If successful, the NPA will end their half-century-long armed struggle and become a recognized political movement. This is Carlito Galvez, a former defense official and now presidential adviser.

Carlito Galvez Jr.: “Socioeconomic and environmental issues and the foreign security threats facing the country, the parties recognize the need to unite as a nation in order to urgently address these challenges and resolve the reasons of the armed conflict.”

Last week, President Marcos Jr. issued an order granting amnesty to a number of rebel groups, including former members of the NPA and Communist Party.