CPP calls for 'tactical offensives' in response to martial law extension

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Communist Party of the Philippines called on the New People's Army to mount tactical offensives across the country in response to the extension of martial law in Mindanao.

The government has a pending petition for a Manila court to declare the CPP and the NPA as terrorist groups. An ongoing communist insurgency was also among the reasons that President Rodrigo Duterte gave when he asked Congress to approve the extension of martial law in the southern Philippines for another year.

"The CPP calls on the New People's Army to mount tactical offensives across the country in response to the extension of martial law in Mindanao," it said. The CPP also said all NPA units "must exert all possible effort to punish the worst fascist units and officers of the AFP who have committed grave crimes against the people."

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In his letter to Congress, Duterte said another extension "will enable the [Armed Forces of the Philippines], the [Philippine National Police], and all other law enforcement agencies to finally put an end to the ongoing rebellion in Mindanao and continue to prevent the same from escalating in other parts of the country."

In its statement Wednesday, the communist party said it condemns the new extension of martial law, saying it "will result in more killings, abductions, torture and worse abuses against the people."

"Everyone who voted in favor of extending martial rule in Mindanano will have their names tainted with the blood of each and every victim of Duterte's all-out war," it also said.

"The CPP calls on the Filipino to further intensify their protests against martial law in Mindanao, de facto nationwide martial law, and against Duterte's tyranny and terrorism."

In a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, both chambers readily agreed to another extension of martial law, which was declared in May 2017.

The Senate voted 12-5-1 for extension while the House of Reprsentatives voted 223-23.