MANILA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday that the resumption of talks to end decades-old insurgency in the Philippines might resume next month, not by the end of June he initially indicated.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza also said Duterte wants the public to be "consulted" before the resumption of the talks.
"The decision of the moment is to not resume talks yet," Dureza told a press briefing at the presidential palace on Thursday.
"To achieve a conducive environment for peace, President Duterte instructed us to engage our bigger peace table, the general public, as well as other sectors in government," he said.
Duterte in April directed concerned officials to work on the resumption of talks with the rebels within 60 days. Dureza said the 60 days ends this June.
Dureza, however, said that after the government panel meeting with the president, Duterte ordered the resetting of the talks to another date to give government a chance to do more consultation and really "engage" the public.
