Asia

Communist rebels march in support of peace talks in Manila

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A part of nearly 100 members and supporters of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines, most of them wearing red shirts and red kerchiefs over their faces, display placards during a brief rally near the Presidential Palace in Manila in a show of force two days before the resumption of peace talks with the government Friday, March 31, 2017 in Manila, Philippines. The marchers, who carried red banners, including one with the party's hammer and sickle logo during Friday's "lightning rally", are also celebrating the "success" of their 2nd National Assembly.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Members and supporters of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines, most of them wearing red shirts and red kerchiefs over their faces, display placards during a brief rally near the Presidential Palace in Manila in a show of force two days before the resumption of peace talks with the government Friday, March 31, 2017 in Manila, Philippines. The marchers, who carried red banners, including one with the party's hammer and sickle logo during Friday's "lightning rally", are also celebrating the "success" of their 2nd National Assembly.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

A part of nearly 100 members and supporters of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines, most of them wearing red shirts and red kerchiefs over their faces, carry placards as they march near the Presidential Palace in Manila in a show of force two days before the resumption of peace talks with the government Friday, March 31, 2017 in Manila, Philippines. The marchers, who carried red banners, including one with the party's hammer and sickle logo during Friday's "lightning rally", are also celebrating the "success" of their 2nd National Assembly. The sign reads: Establish a Democratic People's Revolution!(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Nearly 100 members and supporters of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines, most wearing red shirts with red kerchiefs over their faces, have marched near the presidential palace in Manila in a show of force two days before peace talks resume with the government.

The marchers carried red banners, including one with the party's hammer and sickle logo during Friday's "lightning rally" as a handful of policemen looked on. They chanted "Long Live the New People's Army," the party's military arm.

The rebels and government negotiators are set to resume Norway-brokered peace negotiations in the Netherlands on Sunday, with an aim to end one of Asia's longest-running rebellions.