MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday told local government units (LGUs) not to be intimidated by New People’s Army rebels after they had declared the rebels persona non grata, or unwelcome, in their communities.
Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano cited a report made by Mayor Romy Salvame, of Taytay town, Palawan province, about him and other town officials getting death threats from NPA after passing a resolution declaring the rebels persona non grata.
“Let’s not fear them,” Ano said in a statement. ‘That’s what they want—to sow fear among Filipinos,” he said.
Año said threats received by Salvame and other local officials were a “testament that the NPA will go to great lengths to wreak havoc and fear among [the] people.”
He also commended the LGU in Taytay, Palawan for not retracting the resolution for fear of NPA reprisal.
“Now is not the time to fear. Now is the time to take a stand,” he said.
He sought to assure local officials that the military and police were ready to provide additional security to those getting threats from NPA and to tighten security in their areas.
Año urged other LGUs, in addition to at least 270 LGUs, to declare NPA persona non grata to “send a strong message against the enemy.” (Editor: Tony Bergonia)