MANILA, Philippines -- Malacanang has declared a unilateral suspension of offensive military operations (SOMO) with the New People’s Army (NPA) for the Christmas season.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to have a ceasefire with the communists from 12:01 a.m. of December 24 to 12 p.m. of December 26 and 12:01 a.m. of December 31 to 12 p.m of January 1, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said in his weekly news briefing Wednesday.

Ermita said the ceasefire declaration was a “gesture of goodwill necessary for peace and tranquility for the observance of Christmas and New Year.”

Ermita said, however, that government forces will continue to be on guard for possible attacks by the rebels ahead of the 40th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).