OCD calls for ceasefire in flood-hit provinces
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Thursday urged the military to suspend offensive
operations to give way to relief and rescue work.
OCD administrator and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive
director Benito Ramos in a radio interview said there should be peace in areas where rescue
and relief work for those affected by the floods and landslides are needed.
Ramos’ call came a day after the Communist Party of the Philippines said New People’s
Army fighters have been mobilized to help in disaster relief operations in flood- and landslide-
hit areas in Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao.
“Given the severity of the damage wrought by these recent disasters upon the masses, the
revolutionary forces in flood- and landslide-affected areas are prioritizing disaster and relief
operations in order to ensure the safety of communities and help affected families recover
from the calamities,” the CPP said in an article posted Wednesday on its website.
The CPP’s order came shortly after a ceasefire between the government and the NPA ended
at midnight last Monday. (PIA)
