Army waiting for ceasefire guidelines

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Dec 8): Army waiting for ceasefire guidelines

GOVERNMENT troops in Negros Occidental are waiting for the directive from higher headquarters regarding the Yuletide ceasefire with the New People’s Army (NPA). Colonel Oscar Lactao, commander of the 303rd Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Minoyan, Murcia, said that government troops are looking forward to the ceasefire, as this allows Filipinos to fully celebrate Christmas without fighting. He said the ceasefire will give chance for the soldiers and the NPA members to go home to their families and enjoy the Yuletide holidays. He stressed, though, that the Suspension of Military Operations needs the concurrence of both parties. “It depends on the status of talks,” he added. He said on the local level, Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. has already asked the NPA members for a ceasefire.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2012/12/08/army-waiting-ceasefire-guidelines-257325