Duterte restores ceasefire with RedsPresidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza with the government peace panel holds a press briefing before leaving for Norway / Photo courtesy of OPAPP via TwitterPresident Rodrigo Roa Duterte has restored the ceasefire with communists, effective 12 a.m. August 21, 2016. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Friday night also declared a seven-day unilateral ceasefire after GRH freed two top insurgent leaders who would join peace talks in Norway. In his State of the Nation Address on July 25, 2016, Duterte announced a unilateral ceasefire with communist fighters, saying it is his “dream” to end the armed struggle which has raged for decades. He urged the fighters to reciprocate as he laid the groundwork for peace talks due to begin in Norway next month. He, however, withdrew the ceasefire on July 30, 2016 after his ultimatum for the group to reciprocate lapsed.

Source: Manila Bulletin August 20, 2016 07:41 UTC