The Philippines declared an 18-day unilateral truce on Saturday with Maoist guerillas, whom the government has been fighting for 40 years—in time for the holiday season. The move is also intended to free up manpower to restore Mindano Island, which was devastated by a typhoon on December 4 and where rebels are active. Currently both the state Army and the communist New People's Army are involved in relief efforts. Peace on earth and goodwill toward men, indeed.
