Communist rebels agree to indefinite cease-fire

OSLO, Norway (UPDATED 7:63 p.m.) — Philippine communist rebels announced an indefinite cease-fire Friday in peace talks aimed at ending one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies.

The Maoist rebels announced their agreement to put down their arms in a joint statement with Philippine government officials at the end of weeklong talks in Norway.

The government announced its own cease-fire earlier.

Some 150,000 people have died in the conflict that began almost half a century ago.

Representative of the Philippine government, Jesus Dureza, left, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Boerge Brende and representative of the communist movement the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Luis Jalandoni, after the signing of a joint declaration in which both parties undertake cease-fires without time constraints. Berit Roald/NTB via AP

Both sides said they had made important progress in the talks in Oslo in advancing a peace process that has dragged on for decades.

"The joint statement we are signing manifests the historic significance of what we have achieved," said Jose Maria Sison, founder of the Philippines Communist Party.

Philippines presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza called the statement a "historic and unprecedented event" and gave credit to President Rodrigo Duterte.

In the statement, the two sides reaffirmed previous agreements and agreed to discuss the release of detainees and who should get immunity to take part in the talks. Negotiators said they aim to complete the peace talks in nine to 12 months.

Although less numerous and less violent than Muslim separatist rebels in the country's south, the Maoists have fought and outlived successive Philippine administrations for nearly 50 years, holding out against constant military and police offensives. They draw support from those dissatisfied with economic inequality, especially in the countryside, and the Philippines' alliance with the U.S.