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Philippine leader declares ceasefire with communist rebels

Filipino activists and supporters for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte raise their clenched fists as they arrive near the gates of the House of Representative where President Duterte is set to deliver his first state of the nation address in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines on Monday July 25, 2016. Thousands of activists were allowed near the gates to listen to President Duterte's speech. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Filipino activists and supporters for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte raise their clenched fists as they arrive near the gates of the House of Representative where President Duterte is set to deliver his first state of the nation address in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines on Monday July 25, 2016. Thousands of activists were allowed near the gates to listen to President Duterte's speech. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

By Associated Press July 25, 2016 1 min read

MANILA, Philippines (AP) – 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.”

Government negotiators have met with rebel counterparts and agreed to restart peace talks in the next few months. A rebel leader in self-exile in Europe, Jose Maria Sison, plans to fly home soon to meet Duterte.