Mayor Isko orders removal of anti-Reds tarps in Manila

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has ordered the removal of the tarpaulins declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines, as well as the New People's Army and the National Democratic Front, as persona non grata in the National Capital Region.

According to the Manila Public Information Office on Wednesday night, Moreno directed the removal of the tarpaulins as he urged the public to spread love instead of hate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Spread love, not hate, in the midst of this pandemic. Filipino kapwa Filipino magkaisa muna," Moreno said.

Manila City Mayor @IskoMoreno on the removal of “persona non grata” tarpaulins: “Spread love, not hate, in the midst of this pandemic. Filipino kapwa Filipino magkaisa muna.”#AlertoManileno pic.twitter.com/ySel5tkCZa

— Manila Public Information Office (@ManilaPIO) October 21, 2020

The tarpaulin was spotted on the railings of a footbridge near the US Embassy along Roxas Boulevard.

The tarpaulin includes a hotline number of the police for the public to report any information about the communist rebels to authorities as well as the logo of the Philippine National Police and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

PNP chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan had said the tarpaulin only shows the partnership with localities in fighting communist insurgency.

He also said police officers would never allow the illegal activities and abuses of communist rebels, especially if the latter have the intention to hurt the public. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News