Philippines: Government and National Democratic Front (NDF) rebels forge deal for indefinite ceasefire
An indefinite ceasefire between the communist rebels and the government takes effect today after their representatives signed a joint declaration in Norway to stop armed hostilities in preparation for talks to end once and for all the decades-long rebellion.
The declaration of the truce came almost simultaneously with the announcement of the release of three policemen by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
The truce was contained in a joint declaration committing “to unilateral ceasefires with no time limit,” said Norway’s foreign ministry, which sponsored the talks.
Norway said the joint declaration marks the resumption of formal negotiations between the Duterte administration and the National Democratic Front.
The latest ceasefire was a continuation of an earlier one called by the government, but which expired today.
Some 150,000 people have died in the conflict that began almost half a century ago.