AFP renews call for NPA to lay down arms

MANILA, Philippines - The military on Friday renewed its call for communist rebels to abandon the armed struggle in the wake of attacks attributed to the New People’s Army (NPA) during the holidays.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the insurgents should support the peace process instead of pursuing the armed struggle.

“Instead of waging violence to make themselves relevant, the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA should just lay down their arms and commit themselves to the peace process without preconditions,” Zagala said in a statement.

“After decades of fruitless insurgency, the CPP-NPA should stop being part of the problem and start becoming part of the solution,” he added.

Zagala made the statement in the wake of atrocities supposedly committed by communist guerillas during the holiday season.

Last Tuesday, suspected NPA members burned three taxis owned by Holiday Taxi in Panabo, Davao del Norte. Authorities believe the incident has something to do with the insurgents’ extortion activities.

A day before the burning incident, suspected NPA members shot dead a soldier on Christmas break in Allacapan, Cagayan.

On Thursday, one Army soldier was killed after insurgents harassed a military team in Impasugong, Bukidnon. The attack happened on the third day of the holiday truce declared by the CPP.

The rebels approved a holiday ceasefire truce that took effect from December 24 to 26 and from December 31 to January 2. The government declared a longer truce that took effect last December 21 and will last until January 15.

The CPP has said that it no longer expects a peace deal to be forged within the term of the Aquino administration due to its supposed unwillingness to negotiate a “just peace.”

Zagala said they would continue to work with stakeholders to address the root causes of insurgency.

He said such cooperation has enabled them to free 29 areas from communist as of June.

Zagala said these areas are Cavite, Marinduque, Romblon, Guimaras, Cebu, Siquijor, Biliran, Bohol, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Aklan, Antique, Eastern Samar, Apayao, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Kalinga, Nueva Viscaya, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Benguet, Batanes, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato, Saranggani and Davao Oriental.