THE Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), have “once again displayed their true colors of terrorism,” the military said.
However, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) declared they were committed to “eradicating these terrorist elements and safeguarding the lives and liberties of the Filipino people.”
“We stand united in our resolve to decimate the remnants of the CPP-NPA-NDF and ensure the safety and security of our nation,” said Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca, chief of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM).
He was reacting to a directive Marco Valbuena, CPP chief information officer, calling for ambushes and looting of firearms from government forces.
This directive allegedly highlighted the insurgents’ their proclivity toward terrorism that pose a grave threat to national security.
By endorsing such reprehensible tactics, they not only endanger the lives of our courageous troops but also instil fear and uncertainty among innocent civilians, the AFP said.
The authorities noted that recent incidents serve as “stark reminders of the CPP-NPA-NDF’s terrorist activities.”
In Tubo, five Army soldiers lost their lives and eight seriously wounded on Feb. 1, 2010 after tripping on a landmine reportedly set up by NPA rebels.
In Maria Aurora, Aurora province, two soldiers were also killed and three others wounded in an attack by gunmen believed to be NPA rebels on Apr. 21, 2020.