Rebels stage new attacks, condemn Duterte for ending talks

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines (AP) — Communist guerrillas abducted three villagers, including a policeman, and burned construction equipment in new attacks in the Philippines on Thursday and condemned President Rodrigo Duterte as a "double-speaking thug" for terminating peace talks.

Government forces were pursuing the attackers, about 60 suspected New People's Army rebels who separately seized the three people and burned construction equipment in far-flung Talakag town in southern Bukidnon province, army officials said.

Duterte's all-out war will be completely frustrated, the communists said, citing how government troops have been overstretched fighting them and other insurgents, including Muslim militant groups in the south.