On Wednesday, Mr. Duterte declared a temporary truce against the NPA from Dec. 24 to Jan. 2, 2018 so Filipinos could celebrate the holidays peacefully. Jayvee Tyron Uy, chair of the Southern Mindanao regional peace and order council (RPOC), likewise approved the President’s decision and called on the NPA to reciprocate the President’s gesture. Balagtey, the regional military spokesperson, said the army might downgrade its alert status if the government’s ceasefire “will be reciprocated positively” by the rebels. Inquiries may be addressed to Inquirer’s Corporate Affairs office through Connie Kalagayan at 897-4426, ckalagayan@inquirer.com.ph and Bianca Kasilag-Macahilig at 897-8808 local 352, bkasilag@inquirer.com.ph. For donation from overseas:Inquirer Foundation Corp account:Inquirer Foundation Corp. Banco De Oro (BDO) Current Account No: 007960018860Swift Code: BNORPHMM

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 20, 2017 09:33 UTC