Philippine Rebels Confer With U.S. Congressman on Eve of Talks With Regime

Communist rebels announced Monday that they talked with a senior U.S. congressman on the eve of new talks with the Philippine government on ending their 18-year rebellion.

Antonio Zumel, spokesman for the Communist-led National Democratic Front, told reporters he and another front official had two hours of “very frank” talks Sunday night with Rep. Stephen J. Solarz (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House subcommittee on Asian and Pacific affairs.

The U.S. Embassy confirmed that the talks took place but refused comment. A spokesman said that Solarz was not representing the Reagan Administration in the meeting, the first between the rebels and a member of the American government.

The rebels and the government will begin second-stage talks today on major issues, including rebel demands for the closing of U.S. military bases in the Philippines, widespread land reform and a transition government.

60-Day Cease-Fire

Earlier talks resulted in a 60-day cease-fire, in effect since Dec. 10.

Zumel refused to discuss details of the talks with Solarz except to say “some of his views were in opposition to ours.”

Solarz made no mention of the meeting during a news conference shortly before his departure after a 16-day private visit. He expressed hope that the cease-fire would lead to peace.

But he said that if it failed, the United States would “do everything it possibly can to defend democracy from those who would attempt to assail it.”

Meanwhile, deposed President Ferdinand E. Marcos said that he wants to return home to defend himself against government charges that he siphoned off billions of dollars during his 20-year administration.

The government of President Corazon Aquino canceled Marcos’ passport after he was ousted by a military-civilian uprising last February. The Aquino government refused last month to allow him to return from exile in Hawaii.

$750-Million Lawsuit

Marcos denied in a speech broadcast here Monday by a pro-Marcos radio station that he secretly owns five New York properties. The government filed a $750 million lawsuit in Manila last month seeking title to the properties as well as damages from Marcos, his wife Imelda and 19 other defendants.

In another Monday development, riot police prevented about 5,000 leftists from marching on Aquino’s office to protest left-leaning Augusto Sanchez’s being squeezed out as labor minister and what the protesters consider the pro-U.S. stand of the Aquino government.

Speakers at the protest march charged that Aquino is becoming “isolated from workers and peasants.”

The marchers, organized by the left-wing May 1 Movement, were confronted by about 300 riot police. The protesters dispersed peacefully after a two-hour rally held in front of police barricades about 200 yards from the presidential offices.