NPA stoppage of CARAGA atrocities just a ploy: AFP

“The AFP sees through this declaration as another ploy to deceive the public and to catch our troops off-guard as we intensify our measures to safeguard the people’s exercise of their right to vote,” AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia said in a statement. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday called the rebel pronouncements to stop alleged atrocities in the CARAGA region as another act of deception.

“The AFP sees through this declaration as another ploy to deceive the public and to catch our troops off-guard as we intensify our measures to safeguard the people’s exercise of their right to vote,” AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia said in a statement.

He added that given the rebels terrible reputation in scuttling peace and confidence-building, this alleged announcement will only be another opportunity to mobilize their armed groups to conduct attacks against government forces and facilities, extort and harass business firms, conduct arson and coerce innocent civilians.

“If it was really the intention of the Communist NPA (New People’s Army) terrorists to let the peace reign during the election so that people may freely exercise their rights, they should and we challenge them to declare suspension of their arson, extortion, murder and other atrocities against the people on a nationwide scale and on a permanent basis,” he added.

Garcia said the AFP will continue with the security plan being implemented by the Commission on Elections to secure this year’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.