Decision on 'truce' recommendation known on Monday —Panelo

Malacañang said Sunday that President Rodrigo Duterte's decision on the recommendation for a "unilateral and reciprocal" cessation of hostilities between government forces and the Reds will be made known on Monday, December 23.

In an interview on national radio, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said, "Bukas malalaman natin ang decision ng Pangulo,  kung ia-approve niya."

He was referring to the recommendation of both the representatives of the government (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace panels for a unilateral, nationwide ceasefire for 15 days, starting December 23 and ending on January 7, 2020.

Asked if President Duterte's supposed inclusion on the kill "hit list" of the New People's Army would affect the decision on the "ceasefire" recommendation, Panelo said no.

"Jose Maria Sison has denied National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.'s claim that NPA's liquidation squad is out to kill the president. So hindi makakaapekto yan. Hindi totoo e, sabi ni Sison," Panelo said.

For Malacañang's message to the Communist Party of the Philippines for its founding anniversary on December 26, Panelo said, "Panahon na upang sila ay bumalik na muli sa lipunan. Tama na ang limang dekadang pakikipaglaban, marami na ang namamatay..." —LBG, GMA News