The New People’s Army slammed the Armed Forces of the Philippines for maintaining their presence in areas believed to be stronghold of the communist rebels.
The Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Operational Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) has reciprocated the indefinite ceasefire issued by President Rodrigo Duterte with a declaration of an interim ceasefire to all commands and units of the NPA and people’s militias on Sunday, August 28.
The New People’s Army released another batch of prisoners of war in a village somewhere in Surigao del Norte province on Saturday, August 27 bringing to seven the total number of prisoners released by the rebel group coinciding with the successful first round of talks between the government and the National Democratic Front.
The Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) announced that they will declare and issue a unilateral ceasefire to its armed-wing, the New People’s Army to reciprocate the government’s indefinite ceasefire which took effect on August 21.
Now that the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines is moving forward, President Rodrigo Duterte said the government troops will focus on dealing with the illegal drugs trade and extremism in the country.