CPP declares unilateral ceasefire in typhoon-ravaged Visayas

BACOLOD CITY, Philippine—The Communist Party of the Philippines on Friday ordered the New People’s Army not to launch any attacks in the Visayas, which was devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan), during the next 10 days.

The 10-day unilateral ceasefire actually took effect on November 14 and would last until midnight of November 24, the party said in a press statement.

“This ceasefire declaration seeks to underscore the need to focus the attention of concerned NPA units and its red fighters, as well as all units of the people’s militias to the immediate task of assisting the hundreds of thousands of people whose homes and sources of livelihood have been severely ravaged by supertyphoon Yolanda,” the CPP said.

With the ceasefire in place, “all local and international relief organizations are assured… safe passage through and into the calamity-affected guerrilla zones,” the CPP added.

The rebel group said the respective NPA regional commands could extend the effectivity of the ceasefire declaration in their respective areas.

“While this ceasefire declaration is in effect, all units of the NPA and people’s militias shall remain in active defense mode. They will, however, remain ever militant and vigilant to the encroachment and hostile movements of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) within the territory of the people’s democratic government,” the statement added.

The CPP said the Armed Forces of the Philippines should also stop its offensive operations under “Oplan Bayanihan.”

Prior to the announcement of the CPP ceasefire, the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion temporarily suspended military operations against the NPA in northern Negros, which was badly hit by Yolanda, to prioritize disaster relief operations.

The CPP also denounced the Armed Forces for allegedly using the calamity relief operations as cover for its combat and surveillance operations within and outside the disaster areas.

It  urged the AFP to withdraw its units from guerrilla zones and demanded that relief operations be carried out by civilian agencies.