Malacaῆang has condemned the recent attack of the New People’s Army (NPA) on government troops in Paquibato District in Davao City where two soldiers were hurt.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the incident shows the questionable sincerity of the NPA even with its declaration of unilateral ceasefire.
“Kung hindi ba naman sila bandido sa panahon na dapat nagkakaisa dahil ang kalaban natin ay sakit na COVID-19, eh bakit sila aatake pa sa ating pwersa ng gobyerno (If they are not bandits in a time when we should unite against COVID-19, why do they attack our government forces?)” Roque asked.
“At siempre po, habang sila’y gumagawa ng terrorist acts gaya nito na paggamit ng ipinagbabawal na landmines eh sila pa’y nagsasabi ng unilateral ceasefire daw, eh naku napakahirap po namang paniwalaan ang sinseridad ng CPP-NPA (While they do terrorist acts like using prohibited landmines, they even mention unilateral ceasefire. It’s hard to believe the sincerity of the CPP-NPA),” he added.
Roque pointed out that it is more terrible that the rebels attacked a military group who have been helping in the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program for the citizens on the said area. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
