The rebels were first to announce their intention to put an end to the truce, saying Duterte failed to keep his promise to release some 400 political prisoners. Barely three days later after the rebels' announcement the government has decided to scrap its truce because the rebels of continuously attacked the government troops.
Duterte denied making a promise to release all prisoners, saying he did not intend to free all of them. "We started with 18 (prisoners) and we came up 23 leaders and now it's 400," he said, adding that releasing the prisoners is tantamount to a government surrender.
Duterte, the commander in chief, ordered the Philippine armed forces on Friday to resume offensive against the New People's Army rebels that have been trying to overthrow the government since 1969.
"Let's resume (the military offensive). Take your position and be alert," Duterte told his troops on Friday.
The president on Saturday repeated his order to the military "to prepare for the long struggle."
Duterte expressed his pessimism that a negotiated settlement with the communist rebels would succeed.
"I have lost so many soldiers in just 48 hours. I think to continue with a ceasefire does not or will not produce anything," he said.
The Duterte administration revived the talks with communist rebels in August. Norway has agreed to broker the talks again. So far, both sides have conducted three rounds of talks. Another talk is slated this month.
【国际英语资讯:Philippines Duterte scraps peace talks with communist rebels】相关文章:
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