On Wednesday, Mr. Duterte declared a ceasefire with the NPA from Dec. 24 to Jan. 2, 2018 so Filipinos could celebrate the Holidays peacefully. ADVERTISEMENT“We welcome this in the name of peace and will ensure that our units will abide kung ano man ang (by whatever is the) directive patungkol dito (regarding this),” Balagtey told the Inquirer. Compostela Valley Gov. 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.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 20, 2017 10:07 UTC