The Philippine government and Communist guerrillas have agreed an indefinite extension to a ceasefire to facilitate talks on a peace deal, Norway, which is playing the role of intermediary, announced Friday.

"Representatives of the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) Communist movement will sign on Friday August 26, at 11:00 am (0900 GMT), a joint declaration in which the two sides commit to unilateral ceasefires without a limitation in time," the foreign ministry said.