MANILA, Philippines — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte warned Sunday that the military is ready to respond with airstrikes and new offensives if communist rebels launch attacks after both sides lifted separate cease-fires and he announced he was scrapping peace talks with the guerrillas. He angrily said some of the slain soldiers were killed like pigs and raked with gunfire. Despite his tough stance, Duterte said Saturday that he may reconsider his decision if there was a compelling reason, but he did not elaborate. His adviser on the peace talks, Jesus Dureza, suggested Sunday that the president's decision may still change. Duterte has said he will enlist the military to support the crackdown, now in the hands of a small anti-narcotics agency.

Source: New York Times February 05, 2017 11:53 UTC