Aquino declares truce with rebels
18-day holiday ceasefire starts Friday
By Christine O. Avendaño, DJ Yap
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Amid open conflict between Malacañang and the Supreme Court and with Christmas just around the corner, President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday offered the public a respite from tension on another front.

Mr. Aquino announced Thursday an 18-day holiday ceasefire with the communist New People’s Army (NPA) starting Friday.

The truce from 12:01 a.m. until midnight of Jan. 3, 2012, was recommended by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles and the Department of National Defense, Mr. Aquino told reporters.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police later issued separate statements directing security forces to suspend offensives “in the spirit of the yuletide season” against the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

“This will allow PNP maneuver units as well as their adversaries from the ranks of the CPP/NPA to come home to their families to enjoy the holidays,” said PNP Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome.

Lieutenant General Jessie Dellosa, AFP chief of staff, said the move would “give our brothers and sisters who have gone the wrong path a chance to celebrate Christmas and bond with their families and loved ones peacefully.”

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