World | Philippines
Left rebels declare unilateral holiday season ceasefire
Communist insurgents have declared a unilateral ceasefire in view of the holiday season and in line with the local tradition.
- By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent
- Published: 22:40 December 20, 2008
Manila: Communist insurgents have declared a unilateral ceasefire in view of the holiday season and in line with the local tradition.
In a statement, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said it has instructed its armed wing the New Peoples Army (NPA) to implement a unilateral ceasefire on December 24 to 26, 2008 and from December 31 to January 1 of the following year, "in unity with the Filipino people's holiday traditions.
It can be recalled that earlier, the presidential palace approved the military's recommendation for a staggered four-day halt in offensive operations against the NPA so that its combatants can spend time to be with their family during Christmas.
The armed forces-declared suspension of military offensive operations being shorter by a day as it is from December 24 to 25, 2008 and from December 31 and January 1, 2009.
According to the CPP Central Committee statement, the unilateral truce declaration will be special this year as it will cover the period where the CPP will observe its 40th founding anniversary.
"This would also serve to allow the holding of mass gatherings in the more than a hundred guerrilla fronts across the country to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the reestablishment of the CPP... Several hundreds of thousands of peasant masses, delegations from workers' unions and other urban-based organisations and sectors and other supporters and friends of the national democratic revolutionary movement are expected to assemble for huge anniversary celebrations..," the statement said.
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