The government yesterday declared a unilateral 21-day Christmas cease-fire with communist rebels even as guerrillas launched a series of attacks in various parts of the country since Tuesday. The latest attack by the rebel New People's Army (NPA) was on a town hall in the northern province of Nueva Ecija, just after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo made the announcement, police said. No details were immediately available. Police said the fighting was still raging. "I would like to announce a unilateral cease-fire by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the war against the NPAs starting tomorrow (Dec. 16), the beginning of the Christmas season," said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said in her speech at the awarding of outstanding overseas Filipinos yesterday night. Arroyo said she was declaring the cease-fire to show her administration's commitment to peace, especially in the Christmas season.| "All we are saying, is give peace a (*KABOOM!*)..." |
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