AFP to CPP-NPA: Lay down arms
The Armed Forces of the PhilippinesCentral Command (CENTCOM) urged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army (CPPNPA) to surrender their arms following the recent signing of a proclamation declaring these organizations as terrorists.
CENTCOM Spokesperson Medel Aguilar said that the AFP is always ready to welcome them and provide sustainable trainings for livelihood.
"Malaking dagok sa kanila ang maproclaim na terrorista. Pero kasalanan nila yan kasi yon naman ang ginagawa nila. Siguro ito na yong pagkakataon para sa mga tao, na magisip-isip. Kami naman palagi kaming open sa mga tao na gusto magbalik loob," Aguilar said.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Visayas Chairman Jaime Paglinawan said that even with the accusations hurled at them, they will not support the proclamation and sees this as a way of conditioning the public towards a revolutionary government.
"Gusto sa admin ni Duterte nga pahilumon ang mga kritiko nga nagduso og tinuod nga kausaban, ug nagsaway sa kontra katawhan nga policy sama sa padayong martial law sa Mindanao, kontraktwalisasyon, compressed work week, tax reform, jeepney phaseout, ug nagduso sa tinuod nga reporma sa yuta, nasudnong industrialisasyon, peace talk sa government ug NDFP," Paglinawan said.
A legal expert said that members of the militant groups tagged as fronts of the CPPNPA should be “respected,” as long as they are not doing anything illegal.
Retired Judge Meinrado Paredes said under the International Humanitarian Law, front groups “have the rights to be respected.”
He added that those groups that are suspected to be front organizations of CPPNPA are not combatants and be left operating in line with the law.
“Let them operate within the bounds of law. Of course, if mo-commit sila og violation sa atong balaod, either the Revised Penal Code or anti-terrorism law or whatever, if there's evidence, then prosecute them,” said Paredes, a consultant of Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG).
“So far there is no clear evidence that they are operating beyond the borders of the law. They are conducting their activities kaning mga mass movement, mura man og legal ang ilang pamaagi. Wala pa may ebidensya nga nisulod sila og illegal means (of activities),” he added.
Aguilar said that despite the reports of hostilities in Negros Oriental, allegedly led by members of NPA, law enforcement agencies, in coordination with the local government, have it under control.
"Sa ngayon sa nakikita natin meron hostile act sa ibang lugar, sa atin kontrolado pa. Pero nakikita na natin ang aggressiveness nila and offensive against military forces. Sa amin naman, we still have to do our job," Aguilar said.
He assured that when the situation calls for it, the armed forces and other law enforcement counterparts will have to do their job of protecting the public.
"Pag may nakita tayo na malaking grupo na armado, makikita natin na plano na manggulo or mag-extort sa communities, we will do what is necessary and that is to protect," Aguilar said.
He said that, as of the moment, they will be awaiting on the implementing guidelines coming from the higher headquarters.
President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed a proclamation declaring the CPP-NPA as terrorist organizations basing it from Republic Act 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.
With the said proclamation, groups that will be proven financing the “terrorist group” will be held liable.