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While it has yet to declare a Christmas truce with the government, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has set aside fighting for now to help in relief operations for victims of tropical storm "Sendong" (international name: Washi). In a statement posted on its website, the CPP said the New People's Army (NPA) in storm-affected areas will suspend offensive military operations and help in rescue and rehabilitation. In the last several months, the NPA has been unusually active in northern Mindanao, staging raids on police stations and kidnapping local officials and government employees. The operations have occurred even as Conmmunist representatives have been holding talks with a government peace panel. Earlier this month, the government declared an 18-day Christmas truce that will last until January 3. The death toll from "Sendong" breached the 600 mark before noon on Monday, days after the storm lashed Mindanao and the Visayas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.
NDRRMC head Benito Ramos said the fatalities included:
Cagayan de Oro City: 336
Iligan City: 227
Bukidnon: 17
Compostela Valley: 5
"Units of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the most affected areas can temporarily cease offensive military operations and help in mobilizing the people to carry out rescue and rehabilitation efforts to help the victims recover from the disaster," the CPP said. The CPP expressed sympathy with residents of Mindanao who are suffering from the disastrous aftermath of the rains and floods brought about by "Sendong." The CPP also criticized government officials for blaming the people’s supposed “complacency” for the deaths caused by the floods. “The large number of victims underscores the fact that the government failed to put into place sufficient preparations. It is extremely callous for the government to blame the people for their sufferings,” it said. It added the disaster was a result of the massive denudation of the mountains and siltation of rivers resulting in the rapid overflowing of water systems. “The grave losses suffered by the people once more brings to the fore the urgency of putting a stop to the relentless destruction of the environment by indiscriminate real estate developers and large-scale plantations, mining and timber operations,” it said. - VVP/HS, GMA News
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