NPA declares cease-fire in Mindanao
MANILA,
Philippines (AP) — Communist rebels have declared a cease-fire in the
southern Philippines to allow unhampered relief and rehabilitation in
provinces ravaged by a recent typhoon that killed at least 955 people
and left more than 800 others missing.
In a separate announcement Saturday, the military declared a nationwide Christmas holiday truce with the communist New People's Army from Dec. 16 to Jan. 2, 2013.
The Communist Party's southern Mindanao commission says the cease-fire was to take effect from Dec. 5 through Jan. 3. The rebels did not explain the late announcement and gave no word on whether they will also observe a nationwide cease-fire.
The 43-year-old Maoist insurgency is one of Asia's longest-running. Peace talks brokered by Norway have stalled following disagreements over rebel demands to release several of their detained leaders.
In a separate announcement Saturday, the military declared a nationwide Christmas holiday truce with the communist New People's Army from Dec. 16 to Jan. 2, 2013.
The Communist Party's southern Mindanao commission says the cease-fire was to take effect from Dec. 5 through Jan. 3. The rebels did not explain the late announcement and gave no word on whether they will also observe a nationwide cease-fire.
The 43-year-old Maoist insurgency is one of Asia's longest-running. Peace talks brokered by Norway have stalled following disagreements over rebel demands to release several of their detained leaders.
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