Reds told to stop atrocities vs. civilians

FILE: “This exemplifies the NPA’s contempt and total disrespect to human rights and International Humanitarian Law,” the AFP spokesperson stressed. (YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stressed that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) must convince its members to stop committing atrocities against civilians to prove its sincerity and commitment in forging lasting peace with the government.

AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Datuin made this statement over the weekend following the unprovoked attack that killed a pastor of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and wounded two of his companions in Gigaquit, Surigao Del Norte last April 18.

In the incident, Jepti Acedo was killed while two of his companions were severely wounded in the said attack.

“The AFP reiterates its call to the CPP-NPA-NDF to stop all atrocities against the people and be sincere in the peace process,” he added.

Datuin said this latest NPA atrocity is totally unacceptable, appalling and downright an act of terrorism.

“This exemplifies the NPA’s contempt and total disrespect to human rights and International Humanitarian Law,” the AFP spokesperson stressed.