Yuletide ceasefire with NPA, MILF proposed

(Update) MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. pushed Sunday for a Christmas ceasefire between the military and the rebel groups. Nograles said such a ceasefire with the New People's Army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will be beneficial to the people as it will allow them to observe Christmas and New Year's Day under an "atmosphere of peace." "Let's give peace a chance. We hope that all sides will agree to our proposal to ensure a halt to all offensive operations in keeping with the spirit of the Yuletide season," he said in an article on the House of Representatives Web site. He said that despite the suspension of peace talks, "let's explore this possibility for the sake of Filipinos who have been longing for lasting peace in our country." Besides, he said a ceasefire would provide timely relief to people amid the looming threat of the global financial crisis. On the other hand, he expressed hope for the release of 1Lt. Vicente Cammayo, commander of the Army Special Forces, who the NPA captured last November 19 in Monkayo, Compostela Valley. He also pushed for the release of PO3 Eduardo Tumol, a member of the 1105th Provincial Mobile Group, who was seized by NPA rebels last November 5 in Caraga town, Davao Oriental. Pangasinan Rep. Arthur Celeste, chairman of the House committee on national defense and security, backed the ceasefire proposal as timely and necessary pending the resumption of the peace negotiations with the NPA and MILF. "The Yuletide ceasefire has been a yearly tradition. Every one looks forward to it as an opportunity for the government and the armed rebels to work together to find lasting peace," said Celeste. Two other lawmakers - Reps. Rodolfo Plaza of Agusan del Sur and Edwin Uy of Isabela - echoed Nograles' call. "The Speaker as a Mindanaoan fully appreciates and understands the importance of ceasefire to our countrymen including those in the South whose lives and properties were affected by the armed hostilities. Let's hope and pray for a lasting ceasefire with the NPA and MILF for the safety of our countrymen," said Plaza. Uy said a Yuletide ceasefire can be a confidence-building mechanism between government and armed rebel groups and its success can encourage them to go back to the negotiating table soon. "The Speaker's ceasefire proposal is a right step at the right direction in light of the suspended talks with the CPP-NPA and the MILF," said Uy. - GMANews.TV