Manila: A senior official expressed hope that communist rebels respond positively to the Philippine government’s unilateral offer of one-month of ceasefire, which will begin on December 19 and end on January 19, also the end of the visit of Pope Francis in the country.

“The unilateral ceasefire also puts in mind the much anticipated Papal visit in the Philippines early next year,” said Secretary Teresita Deles, head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

“With the silencing of guns, our preparations for and celebrations of Pope Francis’ visit may be carried out with undistracted prayers and deep hope for abundant blessings showered on our people,” Deles explained.

Citing another reason for the ceasefire offer with the 46-year-old Communist Party of the Philippines and its military wing, the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), Deles said the joint suspension of military and police operations (Somo-Sopo) is “in line with the government’s Christmas tradition”.

“The cessation of hostilities will also “allow [the continuation of] unhampered rehabilitations of calamity-affected communities,” said Deles.

She referred to Tacloban and Leyte provinces that were hard hit by Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, and Typhoon Ruby early this month.

Pope Francis has scheduled trips to Tacloban and Leyte’s Palo in central Philippines on January 17, the second leg of his visit that will begin on January 15.

The government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) have been declaring unilateral ceasefire every year because they have not yet forged a ceasefire agreement since they started holding peace talks in 1992.

The rebels’ positive response signals the resumption of peace talks following a lull since 2013, a source told Gulf News.

Late last year, President Benigno Aquino sent Hernani Braganza, mayor of Alaminos City in Pangasinan, to hold exploratory talks with CCP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison and NDF negotiating leader Luis Jalandoni who have been living in exile in the Netherlands since the 80s.In 2011, Aquino sent Ronaldo Llamas, presidential adviser on political affairs to initiate talks with Sison, Jalandoni to arrange Aquino’s meeting with Sison in Hanoi in 2013.