Philippines: Rebels asked to reciprocate ceasefire
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on July 29 released an ultimatum to the New People’s Army (NPA) asking the rebel group to respond to the government’s unilateral ceasefire.
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Speaking while visiting military units located in the province of Davao del Norte, the president said if the NPA does not declare a ceasefire by 5 pm (local time) of July 30, he will lift the unilateral ceasefire.
During his first State of the Nation Address on July 25, Duterte announced an immediate unilateral ceasefire to the NPA and urged the rebel group to stop violence lasting for decades and push for an environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks.
The president gave deadline to the NPA following an attack by the group in Davao del Norte that left one militiaman dead and four others wounded.
The NPA has been waging an insurgency for almost four decades, which has resulted in the loss of more than 40,000 lives.
