NPA declares 1-week ceasefire in typhoon areas

MANILA, Philippines - In time of need, there are no lines that divide soldiers and rebels.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday welcomed the communist New People’s Army’s (NPA) declaration to help in the relief and assistance for the victims of typhoon “Pepeng” in the Cordilleras.

AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said the statement from the NPA’s Chadli Molintas Command showed that Filipinos, regardless of their political differences, are one and the same when it comes to the bayanihan spirit in helping their countrymen.

“We welcome that help, and for that matter, any help that we could get. We declared the ceasefire not only because we want to help them but also to give them a chance to help our countrymen,” Brawner said.

In a statement, NPA spokesman Martin Montana said they have declared a unilateral ceasefire until Oct. 21 “to assist in relief, retrieval, and rehabilitation efforts for the victims of the recent disasters caused by typhoon Pepeng in the region.”

Montana said the NPA rebels would assist in medical and health services to the victims in the hinterlands.

Brawner said the NPA’s declaration was taken positively by the AFP, particularly by troops who were taken from internal security operations to assist in the humanitarian and rescue efforts.

He said they do not see any security risk if the soldiers would be working side by side with the rebels in helping affected residents.

There had been reports that NPA rebels are coming down from their mountain jungle hideouts to avail of relief goods being distributed by the government and other non-government organizations in the region.

Brawner confirmed reports that some known NPA rebels were spotted in Cagayan and Isabela provinces lining up for relief packs distributed to evacuees.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro has ordered a temporary suspension of offensive operations against the NPA in typhoon-ravaged areas of the region.

But Brawner said the rebels, even if they were positively identified, would not be arrested.

He said no arrest would be made in the absence of a warrant of arrest from the courts or if they are not carrying any firearms.

He said that the NPA rebels, even if they are the enemies of the state, should be given help if their lives are at stake.

Montana, on the other hand, said the NPA would adopt an “active defensive posture” on any possible police and military operation against them.

He said the NPA would also take the opportunity to “extend environmental awareness education to the masses in their areas of operations.”

Montana blamed the government for allowing large-scale illegal logging operations that contributed greatly to the disaster.

Almost 300 people perished in the landslides and mudflows in the Cordillera region brought by the heavy rains of typhoon Pepeng.  – With Artemio Dumlao