Philippine army arrests communist rebel leader after peace bid collapses

The rebel leader arrested on Monday, Ariel Arbitrario, was among dozens of guerrillas freed last year when the government and the rebels resumed peace talks

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Duterte said the end of the ceasefire will come into force urging soldiers to prepare themselves for renewed hostilities with the group. Photo: EPA

Published: 5:24pm, 6 Feb 2017Updated: 5:25pm, 6 Feb 2017

Philippine soldiers arrested on Monday a communist rebel leader, days after President Rodrigo Duterte scrapped a ceasefire with the insurgents and as clashes between them and the army erupted in several places.

Duterte announced on Friday the government was scrapping the ceasefire with the New People’s Army (NPA) and he ordered soldiers to prepare to fight, saying the rebels were making “huge”, unacceptable demands despite government concessions.

The rebel leader arrested on Monday, Ariel Arbitrario, was among dozens of guerrillas freed last year when the government and the rebels resumed peace talks.

He was intercepted at an army checkpoint in Davao City, in the southern Philippines, a military spokesman said.

“He was taken in based on President Duterte’s pronouncement to re-arrest all those who were freed temporarily to take part in the peace talks,” the spokesman, Captain Rhyan Batchar, told reporters.

“He and a companion will be brought back to prison.”

Philippine army arrests communist rebel leader after peace bid collapses

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The rebel leader arrested on Monday, Ariel Arbitrario, was among dozens of guerrillas freed last year when the government and the rebels resumed peace talks

The rebel leader arrested on Monday, Ariel Arbitrario, was among dozens of guerrillas freed last year when the government and the rebels resumed peace talks