Philippine leader declares ceasefire with communist rebels
MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a unilateral ceasefire with communist guerrillas effectively immediately and asked the Maoist rebels to do the same to end decades of deadly violence and foster the resumption of peace talks.
Duterte said in his first state of the nation address Monday before Congress that he wanted "permanent and lasting peace" before the end of his six-year term, which started on June 30.
Addressing the guerrillas, Duterte said: "Let us end these decades of ambuscades and skirmishes. We are going nowhere and it is getting bloodier by the day."
