For troops fighting NPA, it’s kill or die – Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Kill or get killed.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque yesterday reiterated President Duterte’s order to shoot down armed communist rebels as part of the policy declaring the New People’s Army (NPA) a terrorist group.

“An armed NPA is a fighter who is a valid military target given that they are engaged in a non-international armed conflict with government,” Roque said.

“They are also engaged in armed rebellion, which is a crime. I assure you, no armed NPA will surrender to authorities. The options are to shoot at an armed rebel or for our men in uniform to be shot at by them,” he said.

Duterte on Wednesday ordered security forces to shoot down armed rebels even as an executive order was being prepared to declare them as terrorists.

The President also ordered the military and police to re-arrest the top leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army earlier released as consultants of the moribund peace talks.

Duterte said his team is now preparing the executive order declaring the CPP-NPA and the National Democratic Front (NDF) as terrorists. He said the executive order will effectively treat the communist rebels as criminals.

Duterte said he is prepared to defend his men against allegations of human rights violations in killing NPA rebels.

Duterte shelved the peace talks with the CPP-NPA following the deadly attacks against soldiers and police in the countryside while peace negotiations between the NDF and government were ongoing.

Roque said Duterte acted within legal bounds when he directed security forces to kill any armed NPA rebel.

The spokesman made the statement in reaction to Vice President Leni Robredo and critics accusing the President of forgoing legal processes in dealing with the insurgents.

Roque pointed out it is prohibited under the law to take up arms against the government.

Under international law on armed conflict, any armed rebel is a legitimate target, he said.