Gen. Edgard Arevalo said orders were issued by AFP chief Gen. Noel Clement to adhere to their end of the truce. Senators, meanwhile, lamented the NPA attack on government troops on the first day of the holiday ceasefire. With this development, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said it is about time for the Duterte administration to pursue peace talks with local NPA units instead. Localizing the peace talks is the better way, I think,” Lacson said in referring to self-exiled communist leader Jose Maria Sison. Dela Rosa, a former chief of the Philippine National Police, said he has always been wary of negotiating with communist rebels.

Source: Philippine Star December 24, 2019 15:56 UTC