Philippine President Benigno Aquino has suspended military operations against Maoist insurgents for a month to mark Christmas and a visit by Pope Francis.Gen. Gregorio Catapang said the unilateral ceasefire will start at midnight on Dec. 18 and end at midnight on Jan. 19, the day the pontiff is scheduled to leave the Philippines. He said, "The declaration of the suspension of military offensive against the New People’s Army will highlight the government’s sincerity to pursue peace."
It will be the longest Christmas truce in three decades.
Military spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said the truce did not cover Abu Sayyaf militants on the remote southern islands of Basilan and Jolo.