DND: Reds won’t be targeted under martial law

MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana yesterday assured the communists that they are not included in the target list of the martial law implementation in Mindanao.

Lorenzana, as the designated martial law administrator, said the enforcement of military rule in Mindanao will not specifically target the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

“We would like to make it clear that in the implementation of martial law in Mindanao, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not specifically target the New People’s Army as alleged by the National Democratic Front (NDF) chief consultant Jose Ma. Sison,” Lorenzana said.

He said the AFP will fully comply with the directives of the President that martial law was declared to address radical Islamic terrorism and narco-terrorism in Mindanao.

He said the military would conduct all its operations in accordance with the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Sison earlier slammed the declaration of martial law, saying that NPA rebels are key targets of the military operations in Mindanao.

Lorenzana assured law-abiding citizens in Mindanao they need not fear the increased military presence and activities at their localities.

He said soldiers have been dispatched to various areas to secure and protect the people and maintain peace and order in their communities.

“Let me emphasize, however, that members of the NPA who will engage in criminal and illegal acts such as kidnapping, extortion, murder and the destruction of property will be dealt with, with or without martial law,” Lorenzana said.

He called on the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its military arm, the NPA, not to meddle in the fighting between government forces and the Maute group extremists.

“Do not force the government’s hand. Immediately stop all illegal activities and abide by the true spirit of the peace process. This is the only way we can move forward,” Lorenzana said.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the NPA, as well as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), are not covered by the military’s call for citizens to surrender their firearms under martial law.