Localized peace talks would be one of the best ways to deal with communist insurgency, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said on Friday, July 28. In holding localized peace talks, Remulla said the government can also “focus on what’s happening in the area so that development can be concentrated also.” “Many of these rebel pockets are there because of underdevelopment also and lack of government attention,” he explained. “That’s why the localized peace talks can be more focused in addressing the complaints of the people who are rebelling in the areas,” he stressed. He noted that the government has named Samar, Bicol, parts of Negros, and parts of Mindanao where localized peace talks would be held. Remulla said that the communist organization is “a fractured group already.” “Going on national talks is not what we want to do because many of them have many localized complaints about their society, about what they are fighting for in the beginning, and many of these issues have disappeared,” he pointed out. He cautioned that “any attempt to an organized peace talks is just a theatre for them to start raising funds again in the European Union.” “That’s what they do and we won’t allow them to do that,” he stressed. Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had disclosed plans to grant amnesty to persons who violated laws in the pursuit of their political beliefs.