The Philippine government has declared a unilateral ceasefire.
Reuters reported on December 15 that the Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces, General Gregorio Catapang, said President Benigno Aquino had halted military operations against Maoist rebels for a month to coincide with Christmas and a visit by Pope Francis.
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| Philippine President Benigno Aquino. Source: AFP/VNA |
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He stated: "A declaration to cease military attacks against the New People's Army (NPA) would clearly demonstrate that the government genuinely wants to pursue peace."
This will be the longest Christmas ceasefire in three decades.
However, Philippine military spokesman Colonel Restituto Padilla stressed that this ceasefire does not include the Abu Sayyaf Islamic militant group operating on the islands of Basilan and Jolo in the remote southern region of the country.
According to Vietnam+
