Philippines announces ceasefire with leftist militants

The Philippine military Monday announced a month-long unilateral truce with the leftist militant group New People's Army (NPA).

Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) chief Gregorio Pio Catapang said the Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO) will commence Dec 18 midnight and will last until the midnight of Jan 19, Xinhua reported.

"The declaration of the SOMO against the NPA will highlight the government's sincerity to pursue peace," Catapang said.

Catapang said humanitarian assistance, disaster response and defensive operations will have to continue during the period of the truce.

Military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) will continue during the holiday season.

"The ASG and the BIFF, we will continue to hunt them," he added.

The NPA group was formed in 1969 and has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist organisation by the US State Department and as a terrorist group by the European Union (EU) Common Foreign and Security Policy.