Philippine rebel group declares Christmas truce

Military awaiting word from government on cease-fire.

Communist rebels in the southern Philippines have announced a 12-day Christmas truce. (File photo by Karlos Manlupig)

Manila:  Communist rebels in the Philippines announced a 12-day Christmas truce "in solidarity with the Filipino people's traditional celebrations of Christmas and New Year holiday."

Luis Jalandoni, spokesman of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), said the cease-fire, which will start on Dec. 23 until Jan. 3, "will also enable the revolutionary forces ... to celebrate revolutionary victories of the past year."

Col. Restituto Padila, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the military is still awaiting approval from President Benigno Aquino for the government's declaration of a Christmas truce.

The military spokesman said all law enforcement and military operations against insurgents will continue "until the government announces a halt to them for the Christmas season."

Padilla said he hopes the rebels will abide by their "self-declared truce," noting that there have been instances in the past when the rebels violated their own cease-fire declaration.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines hopes that the [rebels] will ... live up to their promise of non-violent and peaceful holidays for the Filipinos."

Jalandoni, meanwhile, said the Christmas cease-fire is also a show of support to calls for the resumption of peace negotiations between the government and the communist rebels who have been waging a guerilla war for the past 40 years.

During the truce, rebel units are ordered to "cease and desist" from carrying out military operations against government troops.

Source: UCAN