Lorenzana tells public: Be vigilant as NPAs now terrorists

FILE: Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is urging the Filipino people to safeguard their respective communities from possible violent and treacherous acts perpetrated by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Lorenzana made this appeal following President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamation of the CPP-NPA-NDF as terror group Tuesday.

“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,” he added.

Lorenzana also said the declaration of the rebels as a terror group is in accordance with the Human Security Act and international laws.

“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 defense chief stressed.

He also added that the government had walked the extra mile to accommodate them by resuming the peace talks but the group ignored this and continued committing atrocities.

“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 concluded. (PNA)