Rebels declare ceasefire is over

MANILA — Philippine communist guerrillas said Thursday that, because of military attacks, they have decided to end a 36day ceasefire declared during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Communist Party of the Philippines said it would not extend the ceasefire, which expired Thursday night, and ordered New People’s Army rebels to return to an offensive posture. The rebels heeded the U.N. chief ’s call last month for a global halt to fighting during the outbreak.

The party said in a statement that the refusal of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration to halt attacks “made the further extension of the New People’s Army ceasefire impossible.”

Duterte also ordered a ceasefire last month, saying troops were helping fight the pandemic in the countryside. The government ceasefire ended on April 16 and was not extended because officials accused the rebels of staging attacks.

The communist insurgency — based on the Maoist strategy of protracted people’s war — has raged mostly in the countryside for more than half a century in one of Asia’s longestrunning rebellions. The military estimates there are still about 3,500 armed guerrillas after battle setbacks, infighting and surrenders reduced their numbers, although the rebels claim they have more fighters.

Duterte launched peace talks with the rebels when he took office in mid2016. But the negotiations, brokered by the Netherlands, eventually bogged down with both sides accusing the other of continuing to carry out attacks.