Lorenzana says military will abide by Duterte’s holiday ceasefire with NPA

December 20, 2017

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday they will abide with President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of a unilateral holiday ceasefire with communist rebels.

Lorenzana said he was adamant on not recommending cessation of military operation against Communist Party of the Philippines- New People's Army.

"But if the president declared so then we are going to implement and abide by the directive of the president," Lorenzana said in a press conference.

In a statement on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the suspension of offensive military operations will be  from Dec. 24, 2017 to Jan. 2, 2018.

"This unilateral ceasefire would lessen the apprehension of the public this Christmas season," Roque said. Ella Dionisio/DMS