CPP orders NPA to help victims of typhoon in Quezon

LUCENA CITY – The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has ordered members of its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), to extend full assistance to people who will be affected by the fury of Typhoon Tisoy (international name: Kammuri) in the province.

“The CPP advises NPA commands and units, as well as revolutionary mass organizations in areas along the path of Typhoon Tisoy to be on alert to assist the masses in preparing for strong rains and in case of floods and landslides,” Marco Valbuena, CPP chief public information officer, said in an interview through e-mail Monday noon.

Valbuena tasked the Maoist-inspired guerillas to help the people respond “in an organized manner, including evacuation in calamity-prone areas, especially logged over and mining areas.”

“They can prepare the necessary equipment and other resources, and link up with various local and international relief and aid organizations, in order to help the people in emergency situations, as well as in rebuilding their farms and homes after the storm,” he added.

However, the CPP also ordered the NPA to remain vigilant against attacks by state-security forces.

“While the NPA extends assistance, it must remain vigilant over attacks of AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] units conducting relentless military operations in Eastern Visayas, Bicol, Southern Tagalog as well as in northern and central Luzon,” Valbuena said.

He called on the people to demand the military and police forces “not to militarize disaster emergency and relief operations which prevent maximum help reaching those who need it.”

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 is now up over Catanduanes and parts of Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon as Typhoon Tisoy slightly intensified, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Monday morning.

Tisoy is expected to make landfall over Catanduanes or Albay between Monday night and early Tuesday morning.

From Monday afternoon to Tuesday noon, occasional heavy rains over Northern Samar, Romblon, Mindoro provinces, and the rest of Calabarzon are expected.

Edited by JPV