The security forces of the Philippines are bracing for the anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) on December 26.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana assured that they will further strengthen military presence since leftist groups might launch an attack. President Rodrigo R. Duterte initially declared a “no ceasefire” this holiday season.
“Gumagawa sila ng mga karahasan para siguro ipakita sa lahat ng tao na sila ay nandiyan. Hindi pa sila nawawala. (They wreak havoc to show the public that they are still around. They are not gone).”
Meanwhile, National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Spokesperson and Philippine Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy stated that they are not shocked with the complaint filed by the National Union of People’s Lawyers against several officials of the NTF-ELCAC.
“We expect more of these legal fronts to follow suit. It is an old, worn out tactic of the CPP-NPA-NDF to harass and threaten government to silence us. Unfortunately for them, those days when that worked are long over. They have come before the full force of the government they have tried to destroy.” – Report from Bea Bernardo
