Terror tag on CPP-NPA will let military fully execute its mandate, says AFP

The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday welcomed the formal proclamation declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People's Army, as a terrorist group.

In a press statement, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they have long since maintained that the CPP-NPA is a blight to the Filipino people, with its members engaging in constant criminal activities and wanton acts of terror.

AFP spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla said the proclamation clearly classifies and labels the group “for what they really are and will simplify military and law enforcement operations as efforts against lawless elements and enemies of the state.”

As a result, he said, the military can now fully execute and perform its mandate without reservation or restrictions.

“Having said that, the AFP’s Focused Military Operations will now become even more precise, simple and effective. We can now address without any hesitation and with all the means and resources available to us the increasing criminal and economic sabotage activities of these terrorists,” he said in a separate press statement.

Padilla added that AFP chief of staff General Rey Leonardo Guerrero has stressed again his guidance to the troops to never let their guard down and be relentless in pursuing the communist rebels, whom he described as the source of so much of suffering in the countryside.

Padilla said President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamation was a consequence of the end of formal peace talks.

In late November, Duterte signed a proclamation terminating the peace talks with the communist group.

“The government has done all it could to attain a much sought after just and sustainable peace throughout our country,” Padilla said.

Lorenzana said the government has walked the extra mile to accommodate the communist group by resuming the talks.

“But they have imposed unreasonable conditions and continued their criminal acts such as kidnappings, attacks on the military and the police, destruction of property, and extortion. Clearly their aim is not the welfare of the Filipino but the pursuit of their selfish agenda. Henceforth, they will be called communist terrorists,” he said.

Padilla added that the CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front of the Philippines never aspired for peace “but merely use it as an opportunity to fulfill its selfish ends.”

The Defense Secretary also enjoined the public to work closely with the military, police and local officials to safeguard their communities from the CPP-NPA. — BM, GMA News