THE New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), declared on Friday an eight-day unilateral ceasefire following President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for a truce for the Christmas holiday. Duterte had earlier declared that the government’s unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels would take effect from 6 p.m. on December 23 to 11:59 p.m. on December 26, and resume at 6 p.m. on December 30 until 11:59 p.m. on January 2. The President ordered the ceasefire even after he issued Proclamation 374, declaring CPP-NPA a terrorist organization. The military chief cited instances and experiences of the military wherein communist rebels committed atrocities amid a ceasefire with the military. Guerrero said soldiers would maintain their “active defense” amid the suspension of offensive military operations for the Christmas break.

Source: Manila Times December 22, 2017 16:52 UTC