MANILA - Crossing party lines, some 60 congressmen on Sunday signed a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to resume peace negotiations between the government and communist rebels.

Since taking office in 2016, Duterte freed some communist leaders and put leftists in his cabinet, to show his commitment to finding a permanent solution to a 5-decade conflict. But he abandoned the process in November, after what he called repeated attacks by the rebels during talks.

"Continuing the peace talks would benefit the Filipino people most of whom are poor peasants and workers, as the agreements on agrarian reform and national industrialization may address their issues and concerns and help provide for their economic hardships," congressmen said in House Resolution 1803.

Over 50 lawmakers cross party lines to urge government to restart peace talks with CPP-NPA-NDF | via @1rgcruz pic.twitter.com/qaTW1S3phd

— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) March 25, 2018

More signatories in the resolution calling for a restart of the peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF. | via @1rgcruz pic.twitter.com/ywfIu4t5tn

— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) March 25, 2018

Duterte in December declared the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People's Army, as terrorist organizations.

• Reds to fight Duterte 'without hesitation' if tagged as terrorists: Joma

In yet another controversial remark, he told state troops to shoot female rebels in their privates and also offered a P25,000 bounty for every rebel killed.

• Duterte defends 'sarcastic' remark on shooting women in genitals

The President, however, said last month he would first consult the country’s top military officials on whether or not the Philippine government should resume peace talks with communist rebels.

• Duterte says to consult military on proposed resumption of peace talks