Whole-of-gov’t approach needed to defeat Reds

“We have identified so many factors to eradicate the communist terrorists (and these are) prevent them from accessing funds, counter their mass base recruitment and front organizations,” Detoyato said in a message to the Philippine News Agency. (PNA File Photo)

MANILA — Only a unified and whole government approach will defeat the threat posed by New People’s Army (NPA) communist rebels, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said Monday.

He made this statement when asked what factors can spell defeat for the rebels once and for all.

“We have identified so many factors to eradicate the communist terrorists (and these are) prevent them from accessing funds, counter their mass base recruitment and front organizations,” Detoyato said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

These can only be neutralized effectively only if the government will synchronize its efforts to counter these threats.

“We can only do this effectively if the whole government will synchronize their efforts towards a common goal (which is aimed at containing these factors that responsible for the continued operation of the NPA movement),” the AFP official added.

The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

Once this is done, Detoyato expressed confidence that the ideology espoused by Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison and his “blind followers” will be defeated once and for all.

Earlier, the AFP official said the NPA attacks, targeting and destroying even civilian targets, highlighted its aimed at pressuring businesses to give in to their extortion plans.

The wanton attacks also highlighted the communist rebels’ terroristic inclinations, he added.

“The burning spree of heavy equipment being perpetrated by the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) is meant to continue with their terrorism plans and to pressure the companies to give in to their extortion demands,” Detoyato said.

Also, the NPAs target equipment of construction companies because they are soft and undefended, and destroying them will delay and prevent the government from bringing in basic services to rural communities.