MANILA - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday announced a unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels who are waging one of Asia's longest insurgencies, and urged them to reciprocate. "To stop violence on the ground (and) restore peace, I am now announcing a unilateral ceasefire," Duterte told lawmakers, as he called on the rebels to do the same. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced a unilateral ceasefire with communist rebelsDuterte made the announcement in his first "State of the Nation Address" to Congress as he laid the groundwork for peace talks with the communists that are due to begin in Norway next month. His aides have already held preliminary talks with Sison and other senior communist leaders, during which they agreed to resume the peace negotiations next month. Duterte, who took office on June 30 and counts exiled communist rebel leader Jose Maria Sison as a friend, had previously offered to release some political prisoners.

Source: Bangkok Post July 25, 2016 09:45 UTC