MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo approved Wednesday a five-day cease-fire with the communist New People's Army for the Christmas season.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Mrs. Arroyo approved the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a suspension of offensive military operations  (SOMO) with the NPA 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.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the holiday truce is in keeping with the Christmas spirit of peace and goodwill.

Government forces, meanwhile, will be shifting to active defense during the five-day ceasefire, according to Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner. “We will be on active defense mode, meaning we will defend installations, we will defend communities and our military and police camps,” he told reporters at a press briefing. 

Brawner said it will be up to the judgment of ground commanders whether to pullback troops that are on combat operations. He said the military may deploy troops at vital installations, like electric and communication towers, to ensure that they would not be subjected to attacks by the rebels.

“When we say suspension of offensive military operations, it only means that we will not launch an operation that is directed against a specific group,” he added.

Brawner said soldiers can fight back if attacked by insurgents during the SOMO period. He said soldiers are even authorized to engage rebels who are found to be roaming in the communities.

“If we see armed groups, we can engage them if there is an eminent threat. We have SOPs (standard operating procedure) on that, we have rules of engagement on that,” he said.

There was still no word from the NPA  if they are going to declare their own truce during the holidays although they also traditionally declare one. The Communist Party of the Philippines, the armed wing of the NPA, is marking its 41st foundation anniversary on Dec. 26.

President Arroyo previously directed the military and police to crush the communist insurgency by the end of her term in June 2010.