THE government has officially declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army a terrorist organization following the collapse of peace talks between the government and the rebels.
The declaration, via a Presidential Proclamation, coincided with reports on intensified anti-insurgency operations by the military against the NPA which sparked renewed fierce clashes leaving at least eight rebels, including a pastor and two soldiers dead in Luzon and Mindanao Sunday and Monday, security authorities said.
A Malacañang statement said President Rodrigo Duterte had declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army a terrorist organization following the collapse of peace talks between the government and the communist rebels.
According to Secretary Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, the next step is for Secretary of Justice Vitaliano Aguirre II to file a petition for “proscription” in court under the provisions of the Human Security Act for a judicial affirmation.
An existing law—Sec 17 of RA 9372, or “Proscription of Terrorist Organizations, Association, or Group of Persons”—says “any organization, association, or group of persons organized for the purpose of engaging in terrorism, or which, although not organized for that purpose, actually uses the acts to terrorize mentioned in this Act or to sow and create a condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace in order to coerce the government to give in to an unlawful demand shall, upon application of the Department of Justice before a competent Regional Trial Court, with due notice and opportunity to be heard given to the organization, association, or group of persons concerned, be declared as a terrorist and outlawed organization, association, or group of persons by the said Regional Trial Court.”
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana welcomed Duterte’s signing of the proclamation declaring the rebels a terrorist group in accordance with the Human Security Act and international laws..
In a statement, Lorenzana said: “We have long since maintained that the CPP-NPA is a blight to the Filipino people, with its members engaging in constant criminal activities and wanton acts of terror.
“The government has walked the extra mile to accommodate them by resuming the talks. But they have imposed unreasonable conditions and continued their criminal acts such as kidnappings, attacks on the military and the police, destruction of property, and extortion.
“Clearly their aim is not the welfare of the Filipino but the pursuit of their selfish agenda. Henceforth, they will be called Communist Terrorists.”
Lorenzana added: “We enjoin the Filipino people to work closely with the military, police and local officials to safeguard our communities from the violence, treachery, and opportunism that the CPP-NPA are known for.”
AFP spokesman Maj. Gen Restituto Padilla also issued a statement: “The Commander-in-Chief’s proclamation declaring the CPP-NPA as a Terrorist organization is a consequence of the end of formal peace talks.
“The government has done all it could to attain a much sought after just and sustainable peace throughout our country. Despite the numerous show of sincerity and compromises of the Government, it is apparent that the CPP-NPA-NDF never aspired for peace but merely used it as an opportunity to fulfill it’s selfish ends.
“This proclamation clearly classifies and labels the group for what they really are and will simplify military and law enforcement operations as efforts against lawless elements and enemies of the state. “This will certainly ensure that the AFP can now fully execute and perform its mandate without reservation and restrictions.
“Having said that, the AFP’s Focused Military Operations will now become even more precise, simple and effective. We can now address without any hesitation and with all the means and resources available to us the increasing criminal and economic sabotage activities of these terrorists.”
The heavy death toll incurred by the NPA occurred at the tri-boundary of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato after army troops seized a large guerrilla base, killing seven rebels and wounding two others.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, commander of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion, said among the rebels killed who were confirmed by Datu Dandee Denian, a tribal leader from Tulale village, were Datu Victor Denian and two of the latter’s sons while the wounded were Jeffrey Denian, 18.
At the height of the intense fighting, 10 rebels of Platoon Arado of Guerrillas Front 73, who were a kilometer away from the seized NPA camp and scene of fighting, forced to surrender to the military.
Cabunoc said the fighting erupted after NPA terrorists engaged the troops of the 27th Infantry Battalion near a rebel enclave in Sitio Datal Bonglangon, Ned village, Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, resulting in two soldiers dead and seven rebels dead.
Recovered at the scene of fighting were two firearms and subversive documents, while the military arranged a tribal burial rite for the dead rebels who were from the Dulangan Monobo tribe.
In Oriental Mindoro, a member of the Kings Glory Ministry in Brgy. Don Pedro, Mansalay, whom the military claimed was a member of the NPA, was killed in an encounter with army troops at Sitio Bait, Panaytayan town.
Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Commander of the 203rd Infantry Brigade, identified the slain pastor as Jovelito Quinones, 57.
Quinones was in the company of seven motorcycle-riding comrades traversing the national highway of Panaytayan town when chanced upon by troops conducting combat patrol at about 1:55 p.m.
An exchange of gunfire ensued between the group of Quinones and the troops, killing the pastor on the spot while his companions escaped.
“It’s a legitimate encounter—based on our intelligence operations. He is an active NPA member,” Parlade said.
Clashes also erupted in Ilocos Sur and Abra between NPA rebels and army troops wounding undetermined insurgents.
So far, the series of an intensified military operations against the NPAs in two weeks of fighting across the country bring to 25 rebels dead and dozens of wounded after Duterte terminated peace talks with the communist party.