NPA declares 'localized ceasefire' after Surigao quake

From CNN Philippines (Feb 12): NPA declares 'localized ceasefire' after Surigao quake



Rebels in Surigao have declared a "localized ceasefire" to give way to relief efforts following a magnitude 6.7 quake on Friday night.

According to Ka Oto, spokesperson of the New People's Army Guerilla Front 16, the ceasefire took effect on 6 a.m. yesterday and will be in place "until affected areas recover" from the quake.

State of calamity

A state of calamity was declared in Surigao City on Saturday following Friday's tremor.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC), under recommendation of the local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council declared the state of calamity as "untold damage to real and personal properties" was caused by the quake.



The statement from the CDRRMO said seven people died from the quake, while 120 were injured. It added the number was "still increasing."

The statement says "under R.A. 10121 and NCCC Memorandum No. 04, Series of 1998, the Sannguniang Panglungsod, upon due recommendation by the local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, is authorized to declare the city under a state of calamity when:

• at least 20 percent of the population is affected and in need of assistance;
• when major roads and bridges are destroyed and impassable disrupting the flow of transport and commerce; and
• there is disruption of lifelines such as electricity and water system.

The state of calamity was declared after field verification determined that the city met the prescribed guidelines.

Multiple towns affected

At least 11 towns were affected by the quake, which also damaged the provincial capitol, two major bridges, and other infrastructure.

Read: 6 dead, over 100 hurt in magnitude-6.7 Surigao quake

The earthquake also forced the closure of Surigao City domestic airport, officials said. All flights were canceled due to a damaged runway. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said the airport might be closed until March 10.

City officials have implored residents to remain calm as aftershocks are still expected.
In a media briefing today, NDRRMC spokesperson Nina Marasigan said that power was back in Surigao City.

However, some areas were still without electricity as aftershocks are still expected.

Rescue ops underway

President Rodrigo Duterte "is on top of the situation," Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said in a Satuday press briefing after she met with officials at the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

"The DSWD Regional Office has prepositioned 8,258 family food packs to geographically hard-to-reach areas," Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.

He also said the DSWD has a stockpile of over 14,000 family packs and over P2.8 million of fund on standby.

Relief and rescue operations are underway, officials said.

Duterte is set to arrive in Surigao today to inspect damage wrought by the quake.

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/02/12/npa-declares-localized-ceasefire-after-Surigao-quake.html