Philippine government, rebels agree to peace negotiations

The Philippine government and the country's communist rebels have agreed to restart peace negotiations after a six-year hiatus. The negotiations aim to end decades of armed strife between the authorities and the New People's Army (NPA), the military wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). If successful, the rebels will transform into a political movement. The announcement comes after the recent amnesty order granted by Ferdinand Marcos Jr to former members of the communist movement, absolving them of crimes committed in pursuit of political beliefs.