MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will use the full force of martial law against the New People's Army as long as they are committing acts of rebellion, Malacañang said Monday.
Duterte recently declared the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the NPA, as terrorists.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque stressed that there is an ongoing armed conflict between government troops and communists.
"Act of rebellion is a continuing crime so for as long as they don’t lay down their grounds, they are committing a criminal act," Roque said in a press briefing.
EXPLAINER: Can Duterte declare CPP-NPA terrorists?
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, administrator of martial law in Mindanao, is empowered to order the arrest of individuals suspected of committing a crime. According to Roque, arrest orders against NPA members will soon be issued.
Due to the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, those who will be arrested would have to wait for the lifting of martial law for judicial remedy.
EXPLAINER: Why is the writ of habeas corpus important?
Asked whether Duterte would expand the coverage of martial law since the NPA has presence all over the country, Roque reiterated that the president only asked for the extension of the declaration in Mindanao.
"He (Duterte) could have but he did not," Roque said.
Under Duterte's order last week, those who are financing terror organizations would have to be investigated.
The Department of Justice, however, still has to file a petition before a regional trial court to judicially declare the CPP-NPA as terrorists.
In his letter to the Congress, Duterte listed the NPA, along with the Maute group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Turaifie group as threats that should be addressed in extending martial law in Mindanao.
RELATED: Duterte: Martial law extension needed vs terrorists, communists