President Benigno Aquino III approved on Friday a holiday truce with communist rebels.
In
a text message, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary
Herminio Coloma Jr. said: "The President has approved the recommendation
of the Secretary of National Defense and the chief of staff of the Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) and the Secretary of OPAPP on the suspension of
offensive military operations effective midnight December 20 until January 15,
2014."
The
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) earlier declared a six-day ceasefire,
from 12 a.m. on December 24 to 11:59 p.m. on December 26 and from 12 a.m. on
December 31 to 11:59 p.m. on January 2, 2014.
For
her part, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said
the government continues its traditional call for a Christmas ceasefire to
allow those in conflict areas, whether soldier, rebel or civilian, safe passage
to celebrate Advent with their families, far from all harm.
"This
year, a Christmas ceasefire gains added urgency with the call for healing and
rebuilding that resonate in this Season and its promise of a new life to
all," she said.
In
the past three months, the country faced major tragedies that have left our
nation deeply traumatized. Among these, the onslaught of super typhoon
"Yolanda" in Eastern Visayas has
caused the most extraordinary challenge for the Filipino people with the
unparalleled and incomprehensible destruction it has left in its aftermath.
"Our
nation needs to bind our wounds and focus our energies and resources on the
tasks at hand. It presents to our country and people the chance to start
afresh, to build on new and just foundations -- the common wealth for the
common good, innovative approaches to governance and development based on
justice and fairness, an understanding of nature’s gifts and perils, and the
healing of Mother Earth," said Deles.
"In
this season of faith, hope and solidarity, we bind ourselves together as a
people for the long-term effort to rebuild in our disaster areas and
reconstruct the lives, livelihoods and property of the survivors. May the peace
and goodwill that must dwell in our hearts become building blocks for a healing
and enduring peace in our land," she said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&sid=&nid=0&rid=598704
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.