ILIGAN CITY\u2014Communist rebels in Northern Mindanao have declared a \u201cregional ceasefire\u201d from Dec. 21 to Jan. 3, 2012, in deference to the victims of the calamity caused by Tropical Storm \u201cSendong.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ceasefire declaration handed down on Dec. 19 by the Communist Party of the Philippines\u2019 North-Central Mindanao Regional Committee is on top of the one covering the communist forces throughout the country, said a statement signed by regional CPP spokesperson Norsen Mangubat.<\/p>\n
Earlier, the CPP central leadership declared a two-schedule Yuletide truce\u2014one from Dec. 24-26 and the other from Dec. 31 to Jan. 2.<\/p>\n
The CPP also encouraged New People\u2019s Army (NPA) units \u201cin the most affected areas (to) temporarily cease offensive military operations and help in mobilizing the people to carry out rescue and rehabilitation efforts to help the victims recover from the disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mangubat said the regional ceasefire covers all fronts and units of the NPA in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn particular, the NPA is to suspend offensive actions against military detachments, camps and outposts, including police stations and outposts,\u201d Mangubat added.<\/p>\n
However, the NPA \u201cwill remain vigilant against enemy attacks,\u201d he further said.<\/p>\n
Mangubat also clarified that \u201call police actions launched by the NPA against criminals, including murderers, rapists, drug dealers, thieves and others shall not be included in the scope of the suspension.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rebel spokesperson said they would raise resources for relief and rehabilitation efforts of the affected families out of \u201call material and financial donations for the Christmas season and the Party\u2019s 43rd anniversary celebration (on Dec. 26)\u201d that the CPP\u2019s regional branch would receive.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll expected donations yet to be received by the party shall be used for the same purpose,\u201d Mangubat said.<\/p>\n
In a separate statement, Jorge \u201cKa Oris\u201d Madlos, spokesperson of the National Democratic Front in Mindanao, said the rebel leadership has directed its local and regional commanders \u201cto observe frugality and simplicity\u201d in holding the CPP anniversary on Dec. 26 in sympathy with the survivors and victims of Sendong.<\/p>\n
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) also extended its sympathies to Sendong\u2019s victims.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the spirit of humanity and as fellow residents of Mindanao, the MILF sincerely offers sympathy and condolence to those who suffer from this calamity,\u201d said a statement from Muhammad Ameen, chair of the MILF secretariat, in behalf of the central leadership. Ryan D. Rosauro, Inquirer Mindanao<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Communist rebels in Northern Mindanao have declared a \u201cregional ceasefire\u201d from Dec. 21 to Jan. 3, 2012, in deference to the victims of the calamity caused by Tropical Storm \u201cSendong.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,39],"tags":[451,416,35933,1940],"byline":[],"source":[206078],"column":[],"editor":[],"videographer":[],"position":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n