Philippines revives ceasefire with rebels

MANILA // The Philippine government yesterday agreed to reinstate a ceasefire with the communists behind one of the world’s longest-running insurgencies.

That was despite president Rodrigo Duterte’s earlier threat to step up attacks on the group. Negotiators for the government and the communist-led National Democratic Front also agreed to resume peace talks, said a joint statement released after a meeting in the Netherlands’ city of Utrecht.

“The parties shall continue the formal peace talks and reiterate their reaffirmation of all bilateral agreements and statements” made before the peace talks ended abruptly last month.

“In the meantime, the parties agreed to reinstate their respective unilateral ceasefires” as soon as both sides inform their armed units, it added.

Mr Duterte – a self-described socialist who had boasted of his links to the communist rebels – reopened peace talks with the 4,000-strong communist rebel movement after taking office last June.

His government released captured rebel leaders and both sides called separate ceasefires to pave the way for peace talks overseas.

But Mr Duterte angrily called off peace talks in February after guerrillas killed soldiers in a series of attacks.

Last week, he ordered the military and police to step up their attacks after a communist ambush that killed four policemen on Wednesday.

“This time, I’m using everything. I have encouraged the police to call in the air assets. Use our new jets. Make use of the rockets and bombs. Flatten the hills with bombs,” he said.

Yesterday’s joint statement said an NDF negotiator, arrested after talks collapsed, would be released.

The next round of formal talks would be held next month, with another round to be held in June, the sides said.