Philippine communist rebels offer truce in storm-hit areas

MANILA (AFP) - Philippine communist guerrillas offered to suspend attacks in typhoon-hit areas on Thursday, as the military led efforts to look for hundreds of missing from a disaster that claimed nearly 500 lives.

"In light of the urgent humanitarian considerations, the (New People's Army) can suspend offensive military operations... for a period of time," the rebel group's parent organisation the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said.

A rebel statement said its forces would "raise funds, seek donations and contributions" for Typhoon Bopha's victims on the southern island of Mindanao, while its armed guerrillas would help in the relief work.

In reaction, military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos, said "if they really want peace and stability for our country for unhampered progress and development, they should abandon armed violence".