THE Army's Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) has directed its units to suspend offensive military operations under its area of responsibility (AOR) effective Sunday, August 21.
Eastmincom commander, Lieutenant General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, issued the order as a government team was on its way to Oslo in Norway to start peace negotiations with communist rebels Sunday.
In a statement issued by the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) Jesus Dureza posted on the PTV's Facebook page, it said the duration of the ceasefire will last for as long as necessary to bring peace in the land.
Guerrero said the Eastmincom is hopeful that this restoration of ceasefire by President Rodrigo Duterte will be matched with the same sincerity by the other party.
"We are hoping that the other party will do the same so that the sense of security, stability and progress will be enjoyed by our people," Guerrero said.
Guerrero said the Eastmincom assures the public that the guidelines of the unilateral ceasefire will be followed by their units.