MANILA (SE): Peace talks between the Philippine government and representatives from the National Democratic Front of the Communist Party of The Philippines that began on an upbeat note on August 22 this year, soured significantly during the second round, which got under way on October 8 in Oslo, Norway.

OSLO (SE): The long stalled peace negotiations between the government of The Philippines and the National Democratic Front opened at the Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel in Oslo, Norway, on August 22, after what in effect has been a 15-year hiatus.

Delegates gathered in a friendly fashion with the knowledge that they had the best wishes and full support of the bulk of the population of Mindanao and most of The Philippines behind them.