MANILA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is still determined to pursue peace talks with the communist rebels despite the lifting of the unilateral ceasefire, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said on Sunday.
"It is very clear that the the president walked the extra mile for peace. And no doubt, he will still continue to do so at any given opportunity,"Dureza said in a statement.
He said that he would make recommendations during the cabinet meeting on Monday on how to move the talks forward.
The Communist Party of the Philippines announced Sunday its plan to declare a unilateral ceasefire next month as it urged the government to push through with the scheduled peace talks in Oslo, Norway on Aug. 20.
"To further support peace negotiations, the CPP is willing to issue a unilateral ceasefire declaration separately but simultaneously with the Duterte government on Aug. 20. The time-frame can be determined through negotiations,"the CPP said in a statement.
Dureza said in a statement Sunday that the CPP move, albeit delayed,"is a welcome development."
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