President Duterte declares resumption of ceasefire with communist rebels

By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata, Philippine News Agency MANILA, Aug. 20 — President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared on Saturday an indefinite ceasefire with communist New People’s Army (NPAs) to pave the way for resumption of peace talks with the rebels next week, said Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) Jesus Dureza. Photo courtesy of ATimes.com The peace talks are scheduled for Aug. 22 in Oslo, Norway. Dureza left Manila at 5:15 p.m. Saturday for peace talks in the Scandinavian city. In a press conference held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) before his flight, he announced that President Duterte has restored the effects of unilateral ceasefire effective Aug. 21. “The ceasefire will last for as long as necessary to bring peace in the country, and also to provide an enabling environment for the success of Oslo talks on August 22,” Dureza said. President Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire with [...]