Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said that the restoration of the unilateral ceasefire is not yet effective until the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines have informed their respective forces and the Parties agree on a specific date.
Various groups lauded the resumption of the peace talks as agreed by the government and the National Democratic Front during the two-day informal talks held in Utrecht, The Netherlands from March 10 to 11.
President Rodrigo Duterte lauded the Philippine Military Academy "Salaknib" Class of 2017 and called on them "to defend the motherland with all your honor and might."
Duterte said the Philippines could live without mining even if the mining industries contribute to government funds about P70 billion a year in taxes.
The killing and wounding of two soldiers in Surigao del Norte on Wednesday evening was a result of a misencounter between government troops, an NPA spokesman said.