Manila mulls Christmas season ceasefire

Manila: The armed forces will abide by any decision by the government on the proposed declaration of a unilateral truce with rebels, a military spokesman said on Sunday amid calls in Congress to declare a holiday ceasefire.

Armed Forces public information office chief Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres said the military would remain focused on its duty to maintain security in the country while the national leadership contemplated the possibility of declaring a holiday ceasefire.

"The military is an instrument of national policy. There are political, economic, social and other aspects in the conflict, hence, the armed forces shall remain focused on these issues while at the same time respecting the decision of the national leadership on matters concerning a ceasefire," Torres said. Earlier on Sunday, members of the House of Representatives proposed that the government declare a unilateral ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People's Army (NPA) as a gesture of peace in keeping with the Christian holiday season.

"Let's give peace a chance. We hope that all sides will agree to our proposal to ensure a halt to all offensive operations in keeping with the spirit of the Yuletide season," House of Representatives Speaker Prospero Nograles said.

The House leader hopes that any unilateral truce declared by the government would be reciprocated by the communists and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao.

It is customary for the government to declare unilateral truces with the NPA and MILF during the holiday season to enable combatants to spend time with their families.

Nograles said a ceasefire would be beneficial as it would allow people to observe Christmas and New Year's Day in an atmosphere of peace.

A decision on the declaration of a unilateral suspension of military operations against the two rebel groups will ultimately be taken by President Gloria Arroyo.

- with inputs from Rafael Juan, correspondent