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Nora Linda Sacariya, 44, sells colorful pipes along Agton street in Toril District, Davao City. Since 2002, Dabawenyos use pipes as an alternative to firecrackers in welcoming the new year. The local government has an ordinance that bans firecrackers. (Kenneth Paul Senarillos / davaotoday.com)

Mindanao human rights activists and victims on December 29, 2017 show a symbolic Christmas tree with lists of human rights violations written all over it. They say the tree represents the dire situation of Mindanaoans under martial law. (Mara S. Genotiva/davaotoday.com)

Members of church organizations gather during the Christmas Peace Forum organized by the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform on Thursday, December 28 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel in Davao City. The delegates called for the resumption of peace talks between the government and the communists. (Mara S. Genotiva/davaotoday.com)

These men paint a road in Davao City with the Communist Party of the Philippines' (CPP) logo. They are staging a lightning rally a day after the CPP celebrated its 49th anniversary. (Medel Hernani / davaotoday.com)

A firefighter sprays pressurized water onto a burning portion of NCCC Mall Davao. Authorities declared on December 24, 2017, that the fire in the mall has been put off