Philippine communist rebels to end unilateral cease-fire

Members of the New People's Army communist rebels with face painted to conceal their identities, march with their firearms before a news conference held at their guerrilla encampment tucked in the harsh wilderness of the Sierra Madre mountains southeast of Manila, Philippines on Nov. 23, 2016. (AP / Aaron Favila)

MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine communist rebels said Wednesday they were terminating their unilateral cease-fire after accusing the government of failing to release all political prisoners and encroaching on rebel-held areas.

The Communist Party of the Philippines and its military arm, the New People's Army, said that the Aug. 28 cease-fire will expire Feb. 10. The rebels and the government had separately declared a cease-fire as they resumed their peace talks.

The rebels said they continue to support peace negotiations. Founded in 1968, the rural-based guerrillas have unsuccessfully tried to negotiate an end to their rebellion and their inclusion in government with six Philippine presidents, including Rodrigo Duterte.

Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Department of National Defence will continue to enforce the government's unilateral cease-fire unless Duterte decides otherwise.

He said troops will not carry out operations against the rebels but will maintain peace and order. The military does not recognize any area under control of the New People's Army and will not allow guerrillas to move around with their weapons, he said.

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza expressed dismay at the decision, saying it comes after progress was made in peace talks last month in Rome, with both sides agreeing to discuss a bilateral cease-fire later this month.

Dureza said he will recommend to Duterte that the government maintain its unilateral cease-fire.

Even before the latest announcement, the military counted nine rebel attacks since Sunday, including an ambush that killed two soldiers in northern Isabela and a raid on an upscale resort in Batangas province, southwest of the capital, where the guerrillas carted away security guards' firearms.

The rebels said the government had not complied with its obligation to declare an amnesty for the insurgents and release about 200 rebel prisoners under an earlier agreement.

Battle setbacks, surrenders and infighting have weakened the rebel group, which is considered a terrorist organization by the United States.

Sporadic fighting has left about 40,000 combatants and civilians dead.