Reds start own truce

Communist rebels start a Christmas ceasefire with the government today even as the New People’s Army (NPA) bombed a mobile phone relay station in Cavite yesterday morning.

In a statement from the Netherlands, Luis Jalandoni, self-exiled peace panel chairman of the National Democratic

Front (NDF), said NPA units nationwide will "cease and desist" from attacking government troops starting today until Jan. 4.

However, Jalandoni said the NPA will be on the lookout for any threat of attack from government troops.

NPA commanders have the discretion to carry out "tactical offensives" against soldiers and policemen to prevent any assault on rebel positions and surveillance by government agents, he added.

Lt. Gen. Romeo Dominguez, Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) chief, said troops will conduct "defensive patrols" during the truce.

Communist rebels will be given a "blanket amnesty pass" during the ceasefire to allow them to move around without being arrested as long as they are unarmed, he added.

President Arroyo has declared a 28-day Christmas ceasefire with communist rebels, from Dec. 10 to Jan. 6, in deference to the holidays.

However, Mrs. Arroyo said police and troops would remain on alert against any NPA attack on vital government installations and civilian communities.

"The guidelines will not only ensure that all our troops abide by and respect our unilateral declaration of SOMO, but also for our soldiers to continue the conduct of active defense measures for their safety and security, as well as for the protection of vital government installations and the civilian communities," she said.

Communist rebels also declared a 12-day ceasefire with the government to reciprocate the President’s gesture of goodwill.

Speaking from Utrecht, Jalandoni said the ceasefire will take effect at 12 midnight Dec. 20 until midnight of Jan. 4.

Jalandoni said the rebels declared the ceasefire based on "humanitarian grounds," and as an act of goodwill to allow soldiers and NPA guerrillas to enjoy the spirit of the holidays.

Soldiers will be allowed to visit their relatives and friends living in areas under rebel control, he added.

Jalandoni said the government has been "wantonly violating" previous ceasefires mutually declared with the rebels.

Communist rebel leaders hope the joint ceasefire would "improve the atmosphere" for the resumption of peace negotiations in January next year, he added.

On Dec. 26, the Communist Party of the Philippines will celebrate the 35th founding anniversary of the rebel movement. — Benjie Villa