Philippine rebels threaten to end monthslong cease-fire
MANILA -- Philippine communist rebels have warned President Rodrigo Duterte that they may be forced to end their cease-fire and resume fighting if he does not suspend the government's counterinsurgency program and withdraw troops from rebel-influenced areas.
The Communist Party of the Philippines said Wednesday that if Duterte fulfills the demands by January and releases remaining political detainees through an amnesty, it can guarantee the cease-fire's extension, helping to foster peace talks.
The military has denied rebel allegations that it's violating a government-declared cease-fire by deploying counterinsurgency troops in rural areas where the rebels have a presence.
While no fighting has erupted since both sides declared separate cease-fires in August, the guerrillas have complained that troops continued to be deployed in rebel areas to carry out surveillance and other counterinsurgency work.
