AFP chief: Ceasefire in Yolanda-hit areas up to political leaders

Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista on Friday said that while they welcome the ceasefire declared by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in disaster-stricken areas, the decision to offer a counter truce rests on the political leadership.

 

“[A] ceasefire is a political decision na hindi sa level ng AFP,” Bautista said at a press briefing aired live over radio dzBB.

 

Bautista said 15,000 troops are currently assigned to typhoon Yolanda-stricken areas in Eastern Visayas, helping in rescue and relief operations.

 

Although he admitted that several military installations have been destroyed or damaged by the super typhoon, Bautista said the army can still perform its mandate and carry out anti-insurgency operations if needed. 

 

“Yung Army, they can survive those situations,” explained Bautista.

 

On Thursday, the CPP ordered its armed wing, the New People’s Army, (NPA) to cease from carrying out attacks in areas devastated by Yolanda, the world’s worst in recorded history.

 

Aside from areas in Leyte like Tacloban, the other places ravaged by the typhoon on November 7 were the Samar provinces, areas were the insurgents operate.

 

The unilateral ceasefire took effect on November 14, and will last until the midnight of November 24.

 

In a statement, the CPP said, “This ceasefire declaration covers the following regional commands of the NPA: Eastern Visayas Regional Command, Panay Regional Command, Central Visayas Regional Command and Negros Island Command.”

 

“With this ceasefire declaration, all local and international relief organizations are assured of safe passage through and into the calamity-affected guerrilla zones,” said the CPP.

 

According to the CPP, the “NPA and people’s militias shall remain in active defense mode” and will “remain ever militant and vigilant to the encroachment and hostile movements of the AFP…”

The New People's Army is the armed wing of the CPP.

 

Two soldiers killed

 

Meanwhile, Bautista said two soldiers were killed at the height of typhoon Yolanda. Although he could not give a specific figure, Bautista said there were some soldiers who were injured and some who remain missing.

 

An update of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Friday afternoon said 3,621 people died from the typhoon, 12,165 were injured while 1140 remain missing. — Veronica Pulumbarit/RSJ, GMA News