MANILA, Philippines – New People's Army (NPA) guerrillas burned three taxis in Panabo late Monday (December 23rd), barely an hour before their 48-hour Christmas truce took effect, AFP quoted police as saying.

"They hired the three taxis in different areas, had them go to Panabo and then they pointed guns at the drivers and commandeered the taxis," before burning them, regional police spokesman Chief Inspector Jed Clamor said.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the government's peace negotiating panel called on the Communists "to be faithful to the spirit and letter of the ceasefire that they have declared and to respect the prolonged ceasefire declared by our government".