MANILA–The longest holiday ceasefire between government troops and communist rebels in 10 years is now official after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) issued formal orders to the New People’s Army (NPA).

The government issued its own ceasefire declaration early this week.

The 18-day truce begins at 12:01 a.m. on December 16 and runs until 11:59 p.m. of January 3, 2011, the declaration issued by the CPP’s central committee and military commission, and the national executive committee of the National Democratic Front (NDF), said.

The NDF is the umbrella organization of underground groups within the communist revolutionary movement and represents the rebels to peace talks with government.

“This entire ceasefire order is issued on humanitarian grounds and as an act of good will in order to allow the commands, units and personnel of the contending armies of the GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) and the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) to observe the traditional holidays and enjoy the spirit of the yuletide season and the New Year,” the declaration, dated December 7, said. Read full report