NPA declares cease-fire in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Communist rebels have declared a cease-fire in the southern Philippines to allow unhampered relief and rehabilitation in provinces ravaged by a recent typhoon that killed at least 955 people and left more than 800 others missing.

In a separate announcement Saturday, the military declared a nationwide Christmas holiday truce with the communist New People's Army from Dec. 16 to Jan. 2, 2013.

The Communist Party's southern Mindanao commission says the cease-fire was to take effect from Dec. 5 through Jan. 3. The rebels did not explain the late announcement and gave no word on whether they will also observe a nationwide cease-fire.

The 43-year-old Maoist insurgency is one of Asia's longest-running. Peace talks brokered by Norway have stalled following disagreements over rebel demands to release several of their detained leaders.