The 21-day government ceasefire will remain in effect in Negros island, despite its rejection by the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army, the military and police said yesterday.

Col. Honorato de los Reyes, Negros island military commander, yesterday said the unilateral ceasefire of the government appears to be holding on its second day, as no significant activity of communist insurgents was observed in the countryside.

De los Reyes, however, said they will not take chances and reiterated his call for vigilance among his men.

In rejecting the holiday-truce being observed by the government, CPP spokesman Gregorio Rosal also ordered the New People's Army to launch more offensives against the military

Three Marine troopers were killed in an ambush staged by rebels in Palawan , despite the government-initiated ceasefire started which started on Dec. 16, and will end Jan. 6 next year.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, said the non-observance of the holiday truce by the rebels only shows that, contrary to their claims, they are the problem, and not the government.

If they don't want it, so be it, Franco said, referring to the non-observance of the unilateral ceasefire by the CPP-NPA.

De los Reyes and Franco, however, said they will continue to strictly abide with provisions of the unilateral ceasefire, despite the rejection of the communist insurgents.

In keeping alive the Christmas spirit, Reyes had announced that NPA members in Negros may re-unite and celebrate the yuletide season with their respective families, without fear of being arrested, so long as they refrain from carrying firearms, and they have no pending arrest warrants

Both the military and police in Negros island remain on alert status, in connection with the 39 th CPP founding anniversary on Dec. 26.*GPB

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