MANILA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Friday that he has decided to lift the ceasefire with the communist rebels effective Friday night.

Dutertes statement came barely three days after the Communist Party of the Philippines announced that it has ended its unilateral truce with the government, saying Duterte did not keep his promise to release some 400 political prisoners.

The rebels also accused the Philippine military of taking advantage of the truce situation to encroach on areas controlled by the rebels.

Tonight, I will lift the ceasefire with (the communist rebels)," Duterte said in a speech in North Cotabato province.