Dureza said President Duterte “restored” the unilateral ceasefire that he announced during his maiden address to Congress on July 25. Mr. Duterte withdrew the unilateral ceasefire on July 30, after the NPA killed a militiaman in an ambush and the CPP failed to declare its own truce. The failure triggered an exchange of harsh words between him and CPP founder Jose Maria Sison, although preparations for the resumption of peace talks continued. Mr. Duterte had promised to work for the release of other NDFP consultants so they could participate in the negotiations. Edre Olalia, legal adviser to the NDFP, yesterday said that as of Friday, 17 consultants had been released.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 20, 2016 17:15 UTC