Duterte announces unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his first State of the Nation Address (Sona). SCREENGRAB FROM RTVM

President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Monday a unilateral ceasefire with the communist rebels effective immediately.

“I am now announcing a unilateral ceasefire with the CPP-NPA effective immediately,” Duterte said during his first State of the Nation Address.

READ: Joma to ‘President Duterte’: Let’s talk peace

He expressed hopes that the communist rebels would respond accordingly.

“Let me make this appeal to you… if we cannot as yet love one another, then in God’s name, let’s not hate each other too much,” he said.

Duterte lamented that it was both “ironic” and tragic” that while the government and the rebels expressed willingness and readiness to return to the negotiating table, both forces continue to fight each other. JE/rga

READ: Duterte gov’t, communist rebels open new peace talks