Duterte: No more ceasefire with NPA this Christmas

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 65th League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) General Assembly at the Shangri-La at the Fort in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City on November 21, 2017, gestures as he reiterates his vow to protect and preserve the Filipinos. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

There would be no ceasefire with the communists rebels this Christmas season, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday.

“Wala na. It’s an off and on thing which has become an endurance contest,” Duterte said when asked if the government would declare a ceasefire with the New People’s Army (NPA) this December.

The President said the government was formalizing the process of terminating the talks and categorizing the NPA as terrorists.

“It’s not an entity anymore worth talking to,” he said. /atm