An opposition lawmaker called on the government to declare a unilateral ceasefire with insurgents during the Christmas season.

Abraham Mitra, who represents the western island province of Palawan in the House of Representatives, said the recent upsurge in activity by the communist New People's Army (NPA) should not deter the government from suspending military operations against its guerrillas as the Yuletide season sets in.

The NPA lately has engaged in a wave of sabotage activities, torching relay towers owned by private communication companies and burning passenger buses in various areas north and south of the country.

The militant attacks forced government forces to conduct pursuit operations resulting heavy casualties on both sides.

"Despite the recent skirmishes between the Armed Forces and the NPA, and the latter's blowing up cellular telephone stations in several provinces in Central Luzon, and Mindanao, the traditional Yuletide truce between the communist militants and the government should not be scrapped this year," Mitra said.

He urged the Palace to declare a unilateral ceasefire, preferably from December 16 which heralds the start of the Christmas season in the country, until the first Sunday of January 2002.

Mitra hopes that a government declaration of cessation of hostilities will be matched by a similar declaration from the leadership of the National Democratic Front.

"A ceasefire with the militants is what the country needs, but which the government, unfortunately, is not aggressively pursuing," Mitra said.

In the past, unilateral ceasefire declared by the government has always been reciprocated by the NPA.

The truce has been a tradition for both sides and allow combatants to be with their families during the Christmas season.

The lawmaker, however, stressed that the proposed truce should not cover the extremist Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements that perpetrate attacks against the people under the guise of pursuing a political agenda. Mitra said that military operations against the Abu Sayyaf as well as gunmen loyal to Moro leader Nur Misuari must be pursued without letup.

He said the government should step up the pressure on the Abu Sayyaf for it to release the remaining hostages, who include two Americans. "Bandits and criminals are not endued to a pause from war," Mitra said.