“The grave losses suffered by the people once more brings to the fore the urgency of putting a stop to the relentless destruction of the environment by indiscriminate real estate developers and large-scale plantations, mining and timber operations.”
By CPP Information Bureau
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today commiserated with the millions of people in Mindanao island who are suffering from the disastrous aftermath of the rains brought about by tropical storm Sendong.
More than 550 people have been reported killed, most of whom drowned in deep floods in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities. More than 20 people also died in Dumaguete City and other towns of Negros Oriental. Most of the floods occurred from late Friday night to the early hours of Saturday.
Most affected by the floods are rural, urban and coastal communities in the northern provinces of Mindanao, including Surigao and Agusan provinces, Siargao Island, Dinagat, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Camiguin island, Lanao, and Zamboanga provinces. Flooding also occurred in the Visayas, especially in Negros Oriental.
The CPP denounced government officials for blaming the people’s “complacency” for the deaths caused by the floods. “The large number of victims underscores the fact that the government failed to put into place sufficient preparations. It is extremely callous for the government to blame the people for their sufferings.”
“In the final analysis, however, the disastrous effects of the storms is a result of the massive denudation of the mountains and siltation of rivers resulting in the rapid overflowing of water systems,” said the CPP.
“The grave losses suffered by the people once more brings to the fore the urgency of putting a stop to the relentless destruction of the environment by indiscriminate real estate developers and large-scale plantations, mining and timber operations.”
The CPP said units of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the most affected areas can 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.