The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said it placed its revolutionary forces on full alert  for possible emergencies that may arise as a result of Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit).

The CPP ordered its forces to respond and  mobilize all resources and carry out necessary operations to secure people in areas that will be affected by the typhoon.

According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), as of 5 AM, of December 6, Typhoon Ruby was located at 245 km East Northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar.

Ruby, with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph, is expected to make landfall in Eastern, Samar this weekend. Pagasa listed 47 provinces that might be affected by the typhoon Ruby’s 600 kilometer diameter.

“All units of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in areas in the path of typhoon Ruby, specifically those in Eastern Visayas, Panay, Central Visayas, Negros, Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions, are on alert to immediately respond to possible emergencies that may arise as a result of the typhoon,” said the CPP.

The group said that they were mobilizing their barrio revolutionary committees and standing organs of political power to carry-out preventive evacuation in areas deemed geologically hazardous, “to ensure their safety,” the CPP said.

It also ordered to its forces that special attention to the elderly, children, pregnant women, single parents and others requiring special assistance should be given.

“The barrio revolutionary authorities must be able to account for the village population before and after the storm and carry out rescue operations when necessary,” the revolutionary group said. It added that local militia will serve as civil defense units and tasked to assist the people in preparing evacuation areas, securing their homes, properties, work animals, fields and sources of livelihood.