The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of a ceasefire with the New People’s Army (NPA) amid the government’s “terrorist-tagging” against the rebels. Duterte declared a suspension of military operations against the communist rebels, presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced on Wednesday. “This unilateral ceasefire would lessen the apprehension of the public this Christmas season. We expect that the CPP-NPA-NDFP would do a similar gesture of goodwill,” Roque said in a statement. READ: NPA urged to also declare ceasefire“In the observance of this occasion, we hope that all Filipinos would stand together as one nation and aspire for peace in our beloved Philippines,” he said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 20, 2017 10:41 UTC