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Philippine President Orders Unilateral Ceasefire With Rebels
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Friday declared a 30-days unilateral ceasefire against the New People's Army (NPA) to allow for peace talks over the release of an army major held captive for over a year.
The suspension of offensive military operations (SOMO) in 11 provinces south of Manila will take effect on March 12, he Philippine News Agency reported.
Arroyo said during a visit to the city of Santa Cruz, south of Manila, that with the government's move, she hoped the NPA and its political arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF) would now make a similar move so that the peace negotiations between the two panels can start.
Arroyo also urged the NPA to free Army Major Noel Buan who was held captive since November of 1999.
A second captive, police Chief Inspector Abelardo Martin suffered fatal bullet wounds when his rebel captors shot it out with a military patrol on Thursday.
"I do not wish the unfortunate incident involving police inspector Abelardo Martin to happen again," Arroyo said.
The provinces covered by the ceasefire include Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Rizal,Marinduque, Aurora and Rombon.
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