Leader Declares Holiday Cease-Fire With Rebels
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered a holiday cease-fire with communist rebels -- who refused to reciprocate but promised that they would fight only if attacked.
In a speech marking Armed Forces Day, Arroyo ordered a “suspension of offensive military operations” against the New People’s Army rebels on Christmas Eve, Christmas, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 to give soldiers time off.
A spokesman for the Communist Party said it will not -- for the first time in 17 years -- declare a holiday cease-fire, but said it would prefer no hostilities.
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