Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - PhilippinePresident Rodrigo Duterte on February 3 decided to lift a unilateral ceasefirewith the rebel group New People’s Army (NPA).
In a speech in North Cotabato province,Duterte said he has ordered Gen. Eduardo Ano, Chief of Staff of the ArmedForces of the Philippines, to terminate the ceasefire from the evening the sameday.
He described the truce as uselessas the government has lost many soldiers over the past 48 hours. He also urged themto be ready to fight.
Earlier on February 1, the NPA announcedthat it is ending its unilateral ceasefire with the government, saying that theDuterte administration failed to heed its demand to free some 400 politicalprisoners.
The NPA also accused thePhilippine army of taking advantage of the truce situation to encroach on areascontrolled by the rebels.
In August 2016, the NPA announceda ceasefire, which is valid from August 28, 2016 to February 10, 2017, to pavethe way for delayed peace talks with the government.
The fight between NPA andgovernment soldiers has left nearly 30,000 dead since 1960. The NPA estimatesits armed rebels at around 4,000 compared to its peak 26,000 in 1987.-VNA
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (Source: VNA) 
