Philippines VP says peace talks with communist rebels a pact 'with the devil'

FILE PHOTO: Philippine Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte attends an economic briefing following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's first State of the Nation Address, in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 26, 2022. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David/File Photo

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday opposed a government decision to restart peace negotiations with communist rebels, describing the move as an "agreement with the devil" in a rare rebuke to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The government and the communist rebels agreed last week to restart talks after a six-year hiatus, aiming to end half a century of conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people.