In the recently concluded first round of talks in Oslo, Norway, the Philippines government and National Democratic Front signed 10 agreements. The second round of talks will be in October and there is still a long way to go for lasting and meaningful peace.

History must be viewed differently. Instead of using it as an excuse for the Philippines' current woes, it should be seen as a guidepost to combat and deter future woes.

(From right) Representative of the Philippine government Jesus Dureza, representative of National Democratic Front (NDF) Luis Jalandoni and Norway's Foreign Minister Borge Brende after signing an indefinite ceasefire agreement, in Oslo, Norway August 26, 2016. NTB Scanpix/Berit Roald/via REUTERS

Among the Philippines' woes is the more than 40 years of communist insurgency that has stymied the economic development of the country's outskirts.

Solicitor General Jose Calida, the Philippine government's principal law officer, said "the spirit of change" was the impetus for President Rodrigo Duterte's move to forge a path to peace with the communist insurgents.

In the recently concluded first round of talks in Oslo, Norway, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) signed 10 major agreements anchored on firm commitments to indefinitely stop military offensives and an amnesty declaration that would soon be issued by President Duterte.

The final joint statement at the close of Round 1 of the talks was signed by Presidential Peace Adviser, Secretary Jesus Dureza and Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) Panel Chairman Silvestre Bello III, together with Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman and NDF chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison as well as NDF peace panel chairman Luis Jalandoni.

Witnessing the signing of the joint statement were Norway's Foreign Minister Borge Brende and the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) special envoy on the peace process Elisabeth Slattum.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People's Army (NPA) started their armed struggle against the government in 1968. Due to corruption, lack of land reform and development in rural communities during the time of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, peasant leaders and even students went up the mountains to join the armed struggle.

The peaceful revolt in 1986 that overthrew Marcos did not deter the communist insurgents from their fight against the government.

During the time of President Corazon Aquino, a 60-day ceasefire was declared. However, peace negotiations remained at standstill until 1992.

From 1992 to 1995, during the term of President Fidel Ramos, four agreements were signed during exploratory talks including the Joint Agreement between the GRP and the NDF on safety and immunity guarantees or JASIG and the Agreement on the Ground Rules of the Formal Meetings between the GRP and the NDF panels.

Then, from 1995 to 2004, 14 agreements were signed during peace negotiations.

In 2004, the NDF withdrew from the negotiating table after former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo supported the US' war on terror and NDF's armed component was included in the US' terrorist list.

Highlight of the latest talks is the unilateral ceasefire and the goodwill shown by President Duterte in ordering the release of more than 20 NDF consultants facing charges including murder in various courts. They were allowed to leave the country and participate in the talks.

Leftist groups are hoping that the release of 21 NDF consultants who were able to join the peace talks, could lead to the release of more than 540 political prisoners.