All ops against NPAs be done in calculated manner—DND chief

All combat operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) must be conducted in a precise and calculated manner, said Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday. (Photo: Delfin Lorenzana/ Facebook)

MANILA—All combat operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) must be conducted in a precise and calculated manner, said Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday.

This is in wake of the government’s lifting of the unilateral ceasefire against the rebels in wake of last week’s unprovoked attacks against government troops which resulted in the death of six and abduction of three others.

Lorenzana stressed that all available resources in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s disposal must be used to ensure the quick defeat of the NPA.

“Every action must be purposeful and serve as a means to a higher end, which is to defeat our enemy,” he stressed.

The DND chief added that all units and individuals of the AFP shall keep in mind the safety of the communities that might be affected by its operations and its main priority is to protect the innocent civilians whom the defense and military establishments have sworn to defend from any and all harm.

Also, when doing combat operations against the rebels, Lorenzana reminded the all AFP units to strictly observe International Humanitarian Law and human rights.

“Your One Defense Team is one with the President (Rodrigo Duterte) and the Filipino people’s clamor for peace. However, if there are individuals or groups who desire nothing but the propagation of fear and violence, they will be met with the full force of the law,” the DND chief said.