DHAKA: Communist insurgents in the southern Philippines torched three taxis barely an hour before their 48-hour Christmas truce took effect.

Police said on Tuesday, reports The Straits Times.

New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas burned the three cabs of Holiday Taxi company in the city of Panabo late Monday, about an hour before midnight when their truce started, said regional police spokesman Chief Inspector Jed Clamor.

‘This was planned. 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, he said.

He said the 10 gunmen identified themselves to the drivers as members of the NPA.

BDST: 1553 HRS, DEC 24, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor