Philippine rebels declare ceasefire to heed UN chief's call

Communist guerrillas in the Philippines said on Wednesday they would observe a ceasefire in compliance with the UN chief's call for a global halt in armed clashes during the coronavirus pandemic.

New People's Army guerrillas have been ordered to stop assaults and shift to a defensive position from Thursday to April 15, the Communist Party of the Philippines said in a statement.

The rebels said the ceasefire is a "direct response to the call of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a global ceasefire between warring parties for the common purpose of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic."
Guterres issued the call on Monday, saying, "It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives."