VICE President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte warned the people against being “deceived by communist rebels who stand in the way to national peace and progress.”
The Vice President raised the warning as she sent condolences to the family of Sgt. Jernell Ramillano who recently died in an encounter with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Batangas.
“We should not allow ourselves to be fooled by terrorists who have been an obstacle for us to have peaceful lives and achieve growth in our communities,” Duterte said.
She commended Ramillano for his heroism and making the supreme sacrifice for the country.
“He will remain in the hearts and minds of every Filipino, and his bravery and love for country will serve as an inspiration for each of us to better serve the nation,” Duterte said.
She added that Ramillano and his family have become victims of violence being perpetrated by the communist insurgents.
Duterte recalled that when she was mayor of Davao City in 2018, the mother of Lt. Jaren Relota, who also died fighting the CPP-NPA-NDF, asked her how many more lives would be lost because of the rebel group.
“There will be more Sgt. Ramillano and Lt. Relota who will sacrifice their lives if we ignore the treachery, deceit, and violence of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front),” she said.
Duterte also warned that more Filipino children would not be able to finish their schooling if they were recruited by the insurgents.
According to her, the only objective of the CPP-NPA-NDF is to destroy the country’s foundation of democracy; abolish government institutions; and drive the country into poverty, chaos, and injustice.
The Vice President earlier expressed full support for the government’s peace efforts, but appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to grant
amnesty to the rebel group.
Duterte dismissed the joint communiqué between the government and the NDF as an “agreement with the devil.”
Meanwhile, a member of the police’s elite Special Action Force (SAF) was injured in an ambush by still unidentified attackers in Sulu province on
Thursday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
In a statement, SAF chief Maj. Gen. Bernard Banac said a team of commandos led by Capt. Mohammadizar Misuari was on patrol when they were waylaid by a group of armed men in Barangay Karungdong, Caluang, Sulu at about noontime
The lawmen stood their ground and until the attackers withdrew.
Banac said the injured SAF commando is in a stable condition at the hospital.
