THE government has dropped its precondition of a prolonged ceasefire with the communists as it scheduled another round of informal talks with them in Norway this month, an official said yesterday.

The government was open to ?short, sporadic ceasefire agreements? if only to move the peace talks forward, presidential adviser on the peace process Avelino Razon Jr. said.

The Communist Party of the Philippines and its military arm, the National People?s Army, have rejected a nine-month ceasefire that the Arroyo administration had offered in November.

?We have officially dropped our ceasefire demand just so we can move the talks forward,? he said.

?We have already informed Oslo of our intent to have another round of informal talks this month.?

But Razon said the communists must name its members who were covered by an immunity guarantee that the government unilaterally suspended in 2007.

?They will have to give the true identities of at least 100 of their members before we revive the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees,? he said.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. yesterday vowed to investigate claims that the military had something to do with the killing of the 20-year-old daughter of a communist commander.

Leoncio Pitao alias Kumander Parago said three people were involved in the killing of his daughter Rebelyn, a teacher in St. Peter?s College in Toril, Davao City.

Rebelyn was found dead in an irrigation ditch in San Isidro in Carmen, in Davao del Norte, on Thursday. She was reported abducted on Wednesday while on her way to school from her home in Bago Gallera.

?I have ordered a full investigation because the allegations, even if we have no involvement or motive, has set us back,? Teodoro said. Joyce Pangco Pa?ares, Jaime Pilapil and Moses Billacura